A review of toxicity testing conducted on European refinery effluents in 2010 and 2013

Report no. 2/18: This report provides an initial assessment of the extent to which toxicity testing is carried on European refinery effluents, and the types of test being used. The analysis is based on responses given to Concawe water use and effluent quality surveys completed for the 2010 and 2013 reporting years. Toxicity testing was predominantly carried out to fulfil permit requirements, or at the request of regulators. However, the part of effluent streams being voluntarily monitored with toxicity testing increased from 6% in 2010 to 27% in 2013 (from 10% to 27% for refineries reporting in both years).

Voluntary toxicity testing was usually performed on an annual basis. The most frequently reported toxicity test in both the 2010 and 2013 surveys was Daphnia magna, with toxicity to fish eggs also commonly used in 2013. Both of these tests were usually performed on a quarterly basis. In both years most of the testing was carried out on treated process waters (52% of effluent streams in 2010 and 46% in 2013).