Monitoring of the Surfactants in Surface Waters in Slovakia and the Possible Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Their Presence

Abstract

In order to keep the home and occupational environment clean and non-infectious, the consumption of cleaners and disinfectants, including cosmetics, is increasing. Excessive use of these products results in their accumulation in the aquatic environment. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove the emergent pollutants, including personal care products. This article is focused on the monitoring of the presence of personal care products in surface waters in two river basins in the Slovak Republic, in terms of the surfactant content. Ecotoxicological evaluation of the selected samples from the monitored river basins was performed by an acute toxicity test using the test organism Daphnia magna. The monitoring results indicate the presence of personal care products in the aquatic environment which poses an ecological and environmental risk. Monitoring in the Hron and Nitra river basins confirmed contamination with the surfactants, to which the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic contributed. The content of the surfactants in personal care products is significant, and their impact on the aquatic environment is not sufficiently monitored.

Thermodynamic Characterization of Rhamnolipid, Triton X-165 and Ethanol as well as Their Mixture Behaviour at the Water-Air Interface

“…Despite the fact that they are not a direct threat to human life they can cause allergies. Additionally, surfactants discharged in sewages can penetrate into ground and surface waters accumulating in our environment [ 2 , 3 ]. The accumulation of surfactants in large quantities and their low degradation become a real threat to fauna and flora.…”

Biodegradation of the Personal Care Products

“…In article [15], we present the results of monitoring surfactants contained in PPCPs. The results of monitoring their content in surface waters prove the need to pay increased attention to them within the treatment process.…”