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Metal Leachate from Alkaline Battery Litters: A threat to Aquatic Organisms

Disposal of spent alkaline batteries into the environment is a major concern as the metal leachate enters into aquatic environments. Microalgae are widely used in metal toxicity assay since they are sensitive organisms with a high capacity of bioaccumulation due to their high surface of contact. In this study, zinc and manganese were recovered from spent batteries through acid treatment and the leachate was tested on Chlorella vulgaris for adverse effects. Three acids namely, sulphuric, phosphoric and hydrochloric acid were used as leaching solution to recover the metals from alkaline batteries. Microalgal cells were exposed to the metal leachate and the adverse effects by means of morphological changes were observed. All the tested metal leachates have produced detrimental changes within three minutes of exposure. The results revealed the possible toxicity of metal leachate from battery litters into the environment and its detrimental effect on microalgae.