Two pulp mill effluents, NaOH extraction water from the pulp bleaching process and water from the chlorination step of the pulp bleaching process, were applied to jars containing three East Texas soils. Carbon dioxide evolution was then measured with an infrared gas analyzer to determine the effect of the effluents on the respiration of soil microorganisms. The relationship between effluent treatments was not statistically significant, though detrimental effects were observed in the heavier soil. Irrigation of clays and clay loams with the effluent is not recommended. Irrigation of sandy soils should be possible if there is no danger of sub-surface water contamination
