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The behaviour of LAS in the environment
Author(s) -
Berna José Luis,
Moreno Alfonso,
Ferrer Juan
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.280500310
Subject(s) - biodegradation , mineralization (soil science) , linear alkylbenzene , environmental chemistry , sulfate , sewage , sanitary sewer , chemistry , pulmonary surfactant , sewage sludge , environmental science , carbon dioxide , soil water , environmental engineering , soil science , organic chemistry , biochemistry
During the last few years a considerable amount of information about the biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LASs) in real environmental situations has been made available. This paper reviews the existing LAS concentrations found today in the environment, using specific analytical techniques for this surfactant, as well as its mineralization and fate in compartments such as sludge amended soils. LAS is totally decomposed into carbon dioxide, water and inorganic sulfate without formation of stable metabolites, and no accumulation has been detected in the compartments studied. The highest degree of biodegradation (>95%) takes place in the processes (sewers and sewage treatment plants) showing the shortest half lives (1–10 h).