Abstract
A study of mapping and field monitoring of Israel’s municipal sewage wastewaters in respect to the content, distribution and the initial nonbiodegradable-biodegradable ratio of surfactants in them has been undertaken over the central and northern parts of the country under in vivo conditions.
Typical concentrations of nonionics (mainly “hard” alkylphenol-based ethoxylates) and anionics (mainly the “soft” LABS) in influents were found to be within the range of 1.1–2.2 and 9.6–10.6 mg/liter respectively. In (treated) effluents, the corresponding concentrations are 0.3–0.45 and 0.3–4.3 mg/liter.
The above is in accordance with current world trends following the switch to biodegradable surfactants. However, the concentrations of nonionic surfactants in the municipal wastewaters are surprisingly low in view of the preferred consumption of “hard” nonionic surfactants in the local market.
It is concluded that 20–40% of all nonionic surfactants discharged into municipal sewage, additional amounts of their metabolites and some of the anionic surfactants, too, find their way into receiving waters, because they resist substantial removal via only primary and secondary treatment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Layman, P.L., Chem. Eng. News 3, January 1, 1982.
Henkel KGaA, JAOCS 59:555A (1982).
Swisher, R.D., Surfactant Biodegradation, Marcel Dekker, 1970.
Kravetz, L., H. Chung, K.F. Guin, W.T. Shebs and L.S. Smith, Household and Personal Prod. Ind. 19, 46 and 62 (1982).
Narkis, N., and S. Henefeld-Furie, Water and Sewage Works, 69, March, 1977.
Pitter, P., and T. Fuka, Tenside Detergents, 16:298 (1979).
Kravetz, L., JAOCS 58:58A (1981).
Zoller, U., and R. Romano, Environ. Inter. 9:55 (1983).
Idelovitch, E., Munic. Wastewater Reuse News, 49:12 (1981).
Cleaning Our Environment—A Chemical Perspective, A report by the Committee on Environmental Improvement, Amer. Chem. Soc., Washington, DC, 1978.
Arlosoroff, S., paper presented at the United Nations Water Conference; Mar del Plata, Argentina, 1977.
Eitan, G., paper presented at the 2nd Inter. Conf. on Ecology and Environmental Quality, Jerusalem, May 1983.
Zoller, U., and R. Romano, JAOCS 61:971 (1984).
Haupt, D.H., JAOCS 60:1914 (1983).
Zoller, U., in Chemistry for Protection of the Environment, Pawlowski et al., eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984, pp. 161–166.
Milwidsky, B.M., Practical Detergent Analysis, NcNair-Dorland, New York, 1970, pp. 44–45; 149–150.
Boyer, S.L., K.F. Guin, R.M. Kelley, M.L. Mausner, H.F. Robinson, T.M. Schmitt, C.R. Stahal and E.A. Stezkorn, Environ. Sci. Tech. 11:1167 (1977).
Kravetz, L., H. Chung, K.F. Guin, W.T. Shebs and L.S. Smith, Tenside Detergents 21:1 (1984).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Zoller, U. The “Hard” and “Soft” surfactant profile of israel municipal wastewaters. J Am Oil Chem Soc 62, 1006–1009 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02935702
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02935702