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This paper reviews the kinetics of biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in engineered (wastewater treatment) and natural environment systems, focusing on work conducted in our environmental laboratories over the past 10-15 yr. Biodegradation studies were conducted in laboratory microcosms in which pure-chalnlength [14CIting-labeled LAS homologs were used to allow complete mineralization to be assessed. In general, biodegradation rates for a series of LAS homologs (C10-C14) were comparable to each other and to values for naturally occurring materials such as sugars and fatty acids. Half-lives for LAS mineralization ranged from 1-2 d in aerobic and anaerobic sewage sludges, river water and sediments, to 1-3 wk in surface and subsurface soils and estuarine environments. The half-life for LAS degradation in different environmental compartments, relative to its residence time in these compartments, makes biodegradation a practically significant removal mechanism in a broad range of aquatic, benthic and terrestrial habitats.

Data from the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/ NTN) indicate significant changes have occurred in precipitation chemistry and the chemical climate in the United States (US). A Seasonal Kendall Trend (SKT) analysis shows statistically significant increases in precipitation ammonium concentrations at 64% of 159 continental US NADP/NTN sites evaluated from Winter 1985 to Fall 2004 (Dec. 1984 -Nov. 2004). Sulfate decreases were widespread, with an SKT analysis indicating statistically significant decreases at 89% of sites evaluated. Ratios of chemical equivalent concentrations of ammonium to sulfate in precipitation have risen to the extent that ammonium now exceeds sulfate over more than half of the continental U.S. on a precipitation-weightedmean annual basis. These trends in the concentrations of ammonium, sulfate, and other species have been accompanied by significant decreases in the frequency of acidic precipitation (pH<5.0) in the last decade.

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