Non-ionic surfactant biodegradation in lab-scale activated sludge.
The biodegradation of a non-ionic surfactant was evaluated by the evolution of the microbial activity and the determination of the soluble surfactant present in the effluent. Two lab-activated sludge reactors/systems were fed with synthetic sewage, one of which received in addition different concentrations--5 and 10 mg/L--of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO). The parameters employed in this assay were: control parameters (COD and SS) and activity microbial parameters (specific oxygen uptake rate and dehydrogenase activity). The removal of NPEO and the production of secondary metabolites were monitored. Solid-phase extraction and HPLC with fluorescence detection were employed for sample preparation and analysis. The results suggest that the microbial activity was not inhibited when 5 mg/L of NPEO was added. Nevertheless, an important inhibition of the general metabolism was observed for 10 mg/L of NPEO.
Coello
Ma D
MD
Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Sea and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Campus Rio San Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. dolores.coello@uca.es
Aragon
C A
CA
Rodriguez-Barroso
R
R
Quiroga
J M
JM
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012722:Sewage; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D010636:Phenols; D012722:Sewage; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C025256:nonylphenol; D010100:Oxygen