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Foam generation method for evaluating biodegradability
Author(s) -
Bacon Leslie R.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02637271
Subject(s) - biodegradation , process engineering , biochemical engineering , scope (computer science) , yield (engineering) , environmental science , computer science , materials science , waste management , chemistry , engineering , composite material , organic chemistry , programming language
Mechanization of a simple laboratory test for foam generation capacity has resulted in a sensitive research tool and a valuable method for investigating biodegradation of surfactants. By standardizing energy input, temperature and other parameters, very acceptably reproducible foam generation capacity and foam decay measurements are obtained. The method is suitable for organic materials capable of producing foams in aqueous solutions at very low concentrations such as 0.2舑30 mg/liter. It is particularly suitable for individual or mixed surfactants and detergent formulations but has broader scope. It is fully adaptable to River Dieaway and Shake Flask Culture biodegradation test procedures and probably to others. The working range of concentrations is substantially that of interest in studies of water pollution by surfactants, and extends well below that for which most physical and chemical methods are suited. The method is broader in application and in information gained than an analytical method alone can be. The two may but do not necessarily yield parallel results. Both examinations are desirable.