Forest Sciences Commons^™

Toxicity Of Aspen Wood Leachate To Aquatic Life: Laboratory Studies, Barry R. Taylor, J. Stephen Goudey, N. Bruce Carmichael

Aspen Bibliography

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), a common hardwood tree throughout Canada, is being harvested at increasing rates for use in paper and building materials. Piles of aspen logs have been observed to produce a dark, watery, acutely toxic leachate. A laboratory study was undertaken to elucidate the nature, strength, and persistence of aspen leachate toxicity and the chemical composition of the leachate. Leaching from aspen chips in the laboratory was rapid, with 1% mass loss in the first 24 h. Another 2 weeks of immersion was necessary to remove all remaining leachable material (3% total)> Fresh aspen leachate derived …