Growth potential of Daphnia magna Straus in the water of dairy waste stabilization ponds

The waters from two ponds of a series of waste stabilization ponds treating dairy effluent, were studied as a growth medium for Daphnia magna Straus individuals in the laboratory. Body growth and reproduction varied between seasons, years and ponds, with performance being generally superior in the later pond of the series. Maximum values of final mean body length and intrinsic rate of increase (r) of 5.2 and 0.38 mm, respectively, were recorded, implying that the effluent water shows potential as a growth medium for D. magna.