LAS removal and biodegradation in a wastewater treatment plant

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620121004· OSTI ID:5696652

Cavalli, L; Gellera, A; Landone, A ^[1]

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1. EniChem Augusta Industriale, Milano (Italy)

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) biodegrades easily and loses it tensioactive properties quickly through a primary biodegradation process, as many works of literature testify. Many studies have been carried out in laboratories or in pilot plants, whereas few have been undertaken in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In Italy, unlike in other countries, no detailed investigation has been made so far to establish LAS biodegradation in real WWTP conditions. EniChem Augusta (EA) and Consorzio Po-Sangone (CPS) have worked together for over two years on this problem, taking into consideration the large and central active sludge WWTP of the metropolitan area of Torino, north of Italy. Specific LAS data have been obtained, using established HPLC techniques, in influent and effluent streams, in the dissolved and adsorbed phases, to reach a complete mass balance. LAS removal >99% and LAS biodegradation of approximately 85% have been observed. Attention also has been given to LAS intermediates of biodegradation, namely the sulfophenyl carboxylates (SPC), using HPLC and GC-MS techniques, the latter after derivatization. The SPCs have been found present only in the waters and not in the adsorbed phases.

• OSTI ID: 5696652
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 12:10; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DECOMPOSITION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ESTERS
EUROPE
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ITALY
LIQUID COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATERIALS RECOVERY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
WESTERN EUROPE