Dechlorination with sodium thiosulfate affects the toxicity of wastewater contaminated with copper, cadmium, nickel, or zinc

Abstract

Sodium thiosulfate is recommended by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for dechlorination of the effluent samples containing residual chlorines before the toxicity testing. For samples contaminated with residual chlorine and metals, e.g., Cd(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II); however, metal toxicity as measured with Daphnia magna was reduced even at approximately half the recommended amount of sodium thiosulfate. Formation of metal-thiosulfate complexes that are less bioavailable may explain the apparent reduction of metal toxicity. In contrast, for samples spiked with Zn(II), dechlorination with sodium thiosulfate increased toxicity. The use of sodium thiosulfate for dechlorination should be cautioned when the sample under the bioassay is potentially contaminated with metals.