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Biodegradation of nonionic surfactants containing propylene oxide
Author(s) -
Naylor Carter G.,
Castaldi Frank J.,
Hayes Barbara J.
Publication year - 1988
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/bf02912574
Subject(s) - biodegradation , selenastrum , daphnia pulex , bioassay , pimephales promelas , chemistry , chromatography , fatty alcohol , alcohol , propylene oxide , daphnia , toxicity , organic chemistry , biology , ethylene oxide , genetics , copolymer , polymer , ecology , crustacean , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , minnow
Insertion of oxypropylene groups into the polyoxyethylene chain of fatty and oxo alcohol ethoxylates decreased the rate and extent of biodegradation. The magnitude of the effects was proportional to the PO‐block size and the extent of branching in the alcohol. Data are presented from a series of PO‐containing nonionic surfactants in semi‐continuous activated sludge reactors over test periods of up to 12 weeks. Bioassays performed on effluents from the SCAS units showed little or no toxicity due to residual degradation metabolities toward Pimephales promelas and Daphnia pulex and a stimulatory effect on Selenastrum capricornutum growth rate.