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Fate of Triton X-100 Applications on Water and Soil Environments: A Review

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Journal of Surfactants and Detergents

Abstract

Triton X-100 applications as surfactant raises concern on water and soil environment due to its non-biodegradability and inhibition effect. This paper aims at reviewing Triton X-100 biodegradability and inhibition literature. It shows Triton X-100 is biodegradable by aerobic and anaerobic municipal wastewater sludge and Vibrio cyclitrophicus-sp-Nov organism. Adsorption and biodegradation are mechanisms of Triton removal. Triton inhibits anaerobic sludge organisms and some single aerobic organisms. Inhibition mechanisms are substrate shortage, physiological membrane-damaging and/or alteration in organism cell membrane. Thus Triton X-100 fate in the environment and its sustainable application can be controlled via proper selection of organism type, Triton concentration, and substrate.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Energy and Environment Center, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Lina Abu-Ghunmi

  2. Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Munawar Badawi

  3. Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Manar Fayyad

Authors
  1. Lina Abu-Ghunmi
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  2. Munawar Badawi
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  3. Manar Fayyad
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Correspondence to Lina Abu-Ghunmi.

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Abu-Ghunmi, L., Badawi, M. & Fayyad, M. Fate of Triton X-100 Applications on Water and Soil Environments: A Review. J Surfact Deterg 17, 833–838 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-014-1584-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11743-014-1584-3

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