title: Comparison of biodegradation of surfactants in soils and sludge-soil mixtures by use of 14C-labelled compounds and automated respirometry.
abstract: The biodegradability of dodecyl benzene sulphonate (LAS), nonylphenol-di-ethoxylate (NP2EO) and tridecyl-tetra-ethoxylate (LAE) in soil was examined by use of 14C experiments at two concentrations (10 and 400 mg/kg). Increasing the concentration of test chemical from 10 to 400 mg/kg resulted in a decrease in the relative maximum mineralization rate and an increase in the estimated lag times of a factor of approximately 3.5. In sludge-amended soil, the highest expected environmental concentration (just after sludge application) will be around 10 mg/kg for linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS), while the concentration of NP2EO and linear alcohol ethoxylates (LAE) will be much lower. However, when using a respirometric method it is necessary to use a higher concentration of test substance in order to detect biodegradation. In our experiment, amendment with anaerobically digested sludge resulted in a decrease in the mineralization of LAS, NP2EO and LAE for all soils. Respirometric experiments were carried out at 400 mg/kg and could be used for estimation of biodegradation potential of LAS, NP2EO and LAE in soil and sludge-amended soil. For LAS, the results obtained from the respirometric experiments were similar to the results obtained in the 14C experiments, whereas NP2EO and LAE showed a faster degradation in the respirometric experiments.
authors.affiliation: DHI Water and Environment, Department of Ecotoxicology, Agern Allé 11, DK 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gejlsbjerg
authors.forename: Torben
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Trine Thorup
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D012015:Reference Standards; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D013501:Surface-Active Agents