title: Non-ionic surfactant biodegradation in lab-scale activated sludge.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Ma D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Coello
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Aragon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Barroso
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Quiroga
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012722:Sewage; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols; D012722:Sewage; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C025256:nonylphenol; D010100:Oxygen