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Effect of temperature on the biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and alcohol ethoxylate

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Journal of Surfactants and Detergents

Abstract

The effect of temperature on the biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and alcohol ethoxylate (AE) was evaluated using method OECD 303 A, Confirmatory test (Husmann units). The experiments were performed using an initial surfactant concentration of 10 mg/L and working temperatures of 25, 15, and 9°C, keeping the biodegradation units inside a thermostatic chamber. In all cases, the removal of both surfactants tested, LAS and AE, was higher than 90%, regardless of the temperature used in the test. We observed that longer acclimation periods were needed by the microorganisms at lower temperatures.

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Abbreviations

AE:

alcohol ethoxylate

BiAS:

bismuth active substances

cfu:

colony-forming units

DO:

dissolyed oxygen

DOC:

dissolved organic carbon

EO:

ethylene oxide

HPLC:

high-performance liquid chromatography

LAS:

linear alkylbenzene sulfonate

MBAS:

methylene-blue active substances

MLSS:

mixed liquor suspended solids

NOEC:

nonobserved effect concentration

OECD:

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

SRT:

sludge retention time

WWTP:

wastewater treatment plant(s)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Alicante University, Ctra. San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain

    Daniel Prats, Carmen López, Diana Vallejo, Pedro Varó & Víctor M. León

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  1. Daniel Prats
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  2. Carmen López
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  3. Diana Vallejo
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  4. Pedro Varó
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  5. Víctor M. León
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Correspondence to Víctor M. León.

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Prats, D., López, C., Vallejo, D. et al. Effect of temperature on the biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and alcohol ethoxylate. J Surfact Deterg 9, 69–75 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-006-0377-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-006-0377-8

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