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Improvements to CO2 headspace biodegradability test

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Abstract

This study proposes changes to the design and evaluation of the CO2 headspace test, which is used as a simple method for assessment of the complete biodegradability of surfactants. It presents a modified equation for the calculation of biodegradation. It is proposed that the solution of 7 mol L−1 sodium hydroxide commonly used in the process involving alkalinisation of the vial contents be replaced with 15 mol L−1 sodium hydroxide. The use of the higher hydroxide concentration leads to a significant reduction in the value of the blank CO2 headspace test.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental Technology, Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic

    Hana Kaňková, Vladimír Sýkora, Hana Kujalová & Michal Cypris

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  1. Hana Kaňková
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  2. Vladimír Sýkora
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  3. Hana Kujalová
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  4. Michal Cypris
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Correspondence to Vladimír Sýkora.

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Kaňková, H., Sýkora, V., Kujalová, H. et al. Improvements to CO2 headspace biodegradability test. Chem. Pap. 69, 376–379 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1515/chempap-2015-0008

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/chempap-2015-0008

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