Effects of Eluate Components from Steelmaking Slag on Microalgae

Abstract

This chapter describes effects of an eluate from steelmaking slag on phytoplankton, particularly Chlorella species as model phytoplankton. Eluates used to assess toxicity in this study were derived from slag using a leaching test condition based on JIS K 0058-1. Electric arc furnace slag in particular was used as a slag. In this study, we also developed methods to estimate not only the number of algal cells by hemocytometry but also their physiological activities via flow cytometry. After a leaching test, the concentrations of eluates from slag were almost lower than those of environmental quality standards. In addition to an elemental analysis, a Chlorellabased bioassay was performed on the eluates. After the treatment of algae with eluates, algae were analyzed by microscopy and flow cytometry. As a result, treatment with eluates induced neither death nor growth inhibition. This treatment was not extremely toxic but rather induced algal growth and a vigorous physiological state.

Keywords: Chlorella, Chlorophyll, Electric arc furnace slag, Environmental quality standards, Flow cytometry, Fluorescence, Phytoplankton.

Cite as