Influences of new azo dyes to the aquatic ecosystem

The influences of a series of new azo direct dyes including copper-complexes based on benzidine congeners, 2,2'-dimethyl-5,5'- dipropoxybenzidine and 5,5'-dipropoxybenzidine, were examined using microorganism, Daphnia magna. The purpose of the research described in this paper was to use bioassays with daphnids to determine the aquatic toxicity of new azo dyes in which copper was incorporated. The results clearly show that copper has negative effects to aquatic ecosystem as expected. The study also suggested that the assay with Daphnia magna was an excellent method to evaluate the influences of dyes to the aquatic environment.