Abstract
Tetradecenyl succinic acid (TSA) is the major component of a detergent builder (C12-C14 alkenyl succinic acid), which is inherently biodegradable. 14C-TSA was dosed as a component of sewage sludge into a soil with a history of sludge amendment at final added concentrations of 1.5 and 30 mg (kg soil)-1. In addition, it was dosed to the soil in an aqueous solution to a final added concentration of 30 mg (kg soil)-1. Dose and form were found to have a pronouced effect on the mineralization kinetics. When dosed in a realistic form and concentration (i.e. 1.5 mg (kg soil)-1 as a component of sludge), TSA was mineralized at its highest rate and to its greatest extent, and the mineralization half-life was 2.4 days. When dosed at 30 mg (kg soil)-1 as a component of sludge, mineralization began immediately, and the half-life was 23 days. In contrast, when dosed at this concentration in aqueous solution, the onset of mineralization was preceded by a 13 day lag period and the mineralization half-life was 69 days. Primary biodegradation and mineralization rates of TSA were very similar. Approximately, half the radioactivity was evolved as 14CO2, while the remaining radioactivity became non-extractable, having presumably been incorporated into biomass or natural soil organic matter (humics). This study demonstrated that TSA is effectively removed from sludge-amended soils as a result of biodegradation. Furthermore, it showed the effect that dose form and concentration have on the biodegradation kinetics and the importance of dosing a chemical not only at a relevant concentration but also in the environmental form in which it enters the soil environment.
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Schowanek, D.R., Feijtel, T.C.J. & Federle, T.W. Effect of concentration and environmental form of tetradecenyl succinic acid on its mineralization in soil. Biodegradation 7, 377–382 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056421
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056421