Biodegradability of Surfactants under Aerobic, Anoxic, and Anaerobic Conditions
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 2
Abstract
The biodegradability of two surfactants, Triton X-100 and Rhamnolipid, was tested under aerobic, nitrate reducing, sulfate reducing, and anaerobic conditions in a respirometer. The results indicated that from a biodegradation standpoint, Rhamnolipid is superior to Triton X-100 since it is biodegradable under all conditions, whereas the Triton X-100 is partially biodegradable under aerobic conditions and nonbiodegradable under anaerobic, nitrate reducing, and sulfate reducing conditions.
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© 2006 ASCE.
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Received: Feb 11, 2004
Accepted: Jun 2, 2005
Published online: Feb 1, 2006
Published in print: Feb 2006
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