Surfactants and the environment

Abstract

Synopsis As a result of their use in detergents and personal products and their subsequent disposal, anionic surfactants may achieve a wide distribution in the environment. It is therefore important to assess the hazard that this use might present to the environment. In order to do this it is necessary to estimate the highest concentrations which are likely to occur at key points in the environment. These estimates may be based on a knowledge of the quantities used and the per capita consumption of water, and take account of the physico-chemical properties, biodegradation and treatability of the surfactant. The margin of safety between these estimates and the lowest concentrations causing adverse effects on sewage treatment operations, aquatic organisms and crops may then be determined. Laboratory studies on linear alkyl benzene sulphonates, primary alkyl sulphates, linear alkyl ether sulphates and secondary alkane sulphonates suggest that their current levels in detergents and personal products present no hazard to the environment. This conclusion is confirmed by the results of environmental monitoring.

Simultaneous and Efficient Removal of Linear Alkylbenzenesulfonate and Nitrogen in a Membrane Biofilm Reactor under Low Dissolved Oxygen Conditions

“…Figure a shows the number of observed bacteria community richness. Biofilm from the WWTP exhibited the highest number of bacterial genera but which sharply decreased for other biofilms responsible for GW treatment Tius is consistent with previous findings that LAS can lead to adverse effects for microorganisms in the biological wastewater treatment system . The Venn diagram in Figure b shows the number of shared and unique bacterial genera in the biofilms.…”

Microbiological hazards associated with the use of water in the post‐harvest handling and processing operations of fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables and herbs (ffFVHs). Part 1 (outbreak data analysis, literature review and stakeholder questionnaire)

“…Sublethal injury of microorganisms implies damage to structures within the cells, the expression of which entails some loss of cell function that may be transient or permanent (Gilbert and Pettigrew, 1984). Optimal residual concentrations of water disinfectants in the washing tank must be set at a level above the minimum concentration needed to maintain the microbiological quality of the process water.…”

Evaluation and Quantification of Anionic Surfactant in the Gomti River at Lucknow City, India

“…Gomti River (India) Gediz River (Turkey) 0.023-4.48 [3] Yuvarlak Stream (Turkey) 0.12 [4] Bakırçay River (Turkey) 0.01-0.29 [5] Küçük Menderes River (Turkey) 0-0.93 [6] Halifax Harbour River (Canada) 0.001-0.2 [7] England Rivers 0.007-0.173 [8] England Rivers 0.012-0.08q [9] Tama River (Japan) 0.035-0.219 [10] Hyogo River (Japan) 0.004-2.5 [11] Tsurumi River (Japan) 0.01-0.29 [12] Sumida River (Japan) 0.005-0.01 [13] Saar River (Europe) 0.01-0.09 [14] Teshiro River (Japan) 0.01-0.27 [15] Teganuma River (Japan) 0.019-1.4 [16] Yodo River (Japan) 0.043-0.089 [17] Miami River (America) <0.05 [18] Oohori River (Japan) 0.5-1.6 [19] Mississippi River (America) 0.01-0.3 [20] Litheos River (Mediterranean) 0.1 [21] Yorkshire River (England) 0.05-0.25 [22] Laguna Bay (Filipinler) 0.002-0.102 [23] Itter River (Germany) 0.007-0.011 [24] Gediz River 0.084-5.592 [25] Table 1.…”