Abstract

The biodegradability of some anionic surfactants were investigated using biological oxygen consumption measurement at different temperatures. As test surfactants, soap, alkyl sulfate (AS), alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), alkyl polyoxyethylene sulfate (AES), linear alkylbezene sulfonate(LAS), microbial surfactants such as sophorose lipid (sopholipid) and spiculisporic acid (S-acid), were used. The test solution were incubated at $5^{\circ}C$, $18^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$, respectively. The comparative rates of biodegradation were in accordance with the results obtained from the surface tension measurement and methylene blue method. The results of comparative blodegradabilities of the surfactants were as follows; soap, AS>AES>AOS>LAS at $18^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$. However, at$ 5^{\circ}C$, the biodegradation rate of soap was better than other surfactants. Considering the actual environment of the river, it was concluded that the biological oxygen consumption rate method at lower temperature was more practical than the current method such as methylene blue assay with adapted shaking flask culture at $25^{\circ}C$

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