Abstract-Concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), dialkyltetralin sulfonates (DATS), and their biodegradation intermediates are reported for the influents and effluents of 10 U.S. domestic wastewater treatment plants as well as upstream and downstream river waters and sediments. Three types of treatment facilities in 10 U.S. states were sampled and analyzed. Removals were calculated based on initial concentrations of LAS and DATS. A derivatization electron capture/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method was employed. Its increased sensitivity and selectivity permitted the determination of environmental levels of LAS, DATS, and their biodegradation intermediates at low micrograms per liter (ppb) concentrations. The removal from four activated sludge and five trickling filter wastewater treatment facilities averaged 99.5% and 82.9% for LAS and 99.1% and 97.3% for LAS intermediates, respectively, for the activated sludge and trickling filter facilities. In the same plants, percent removals for DATS averaged 95% and 63.2% and DATS intermediates 59.1% and 58.7%, respectively. The removals obtained by a rotating biological contactor were similar to those observed in the activated sludge wastewater treatment facilities.

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Dialkyltetralin sulfonate (DATS) and single methyl-branched isomers of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (iso-LAS) are coproducts that together can range from 1 to 10% of commercial LAS depending on the manufacturing process. Biodegradation studies using radiolabeled DATS and iso-LAS showed mineralization by indigenous microbial populations in laboratory simulations of aquatic and soil environments. Half-lives ranged from 2 to 20 days, which is rapid enough to suggest that accumulation would not occur in these environments. Upon exposure to laboratory activated sludge treatment, most model iso-LAS compounds showed greater than 98% parent compound removal, extensive mineralization (>50%), and 79-90% ultimate biodegradation (mineralization plus conversion to biomass). Activated sludge treatment of DATS and one of the iso-LAS isomers (methyl group attached to the benzylic carbon of the alkyl chain) resulted in >98% removal, 3-12% ultimate biodegradation and apparent formation of carboxylated biodegradation intermediates that accounted for 88-97% of the original material. These DATS and iso-LAS biodegradation intermediates continued to mineralize in simulated receiving water and soil environments at rates similar to that of sulfophenyl carboxylate (SPC) intermediates of a standard LAS.