Identification of Non-ionic Surfactants in Elements of the Aquatic Environment

Daniel Kopiec; Joanna Zembrzuska; Irena Budnik; Bogdan Wyrwas; Zbyslaw Dymaczewski; Malgorzata Komorowska-Kaufman; Zenon Lukaszewski

doi:10.3139/113.110389

Article

Identification of Non-ionic Surfactants in Elements of the Aquatic Environment

Daniel Kopiec , Joanna Zembrzuska , Irena Budnik , Bogdan Wyrwas , Zbyslaw Dymaczewski , Malgorzata Komorowska-Kaufman and Zenon Lukaszewski

Published/Copyright: September 15, 2015

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From the journal Tenside Surfactants Detergents Volume 52 Issue 5

Abstract

Information concerning the use of non-ionic surfactants (NS) in household products is very scanty. Therefore, a qualitative determination of NS in raw sewage is an alternative source of information concerning the presence and manufacture of NS. The aim of this work was to identify NS in raw sewage (in Poznan and Blonie, both Poland) and treated sewage (in Blonie) and to compare the results with those obtained for river water (Warta in Poznan, Poland). LC-MS/MS was used for this purpose. The presence of 116 ethoxamers, being exclusively polydispersal alcohol ethoxylates (AE) containing alkyl moieties from C₁₀ to C₁₆ and C₁₈, as well as 20 poly(ethylene glycols), was confirmed in the raw sewage, while 68 ethoxamers were found in the treated sewage, including 12 octylphenol ethoxylates. No nonylphenol ethoxylates were identified in the raw or treated sewage.

Kurzfassung

Informationen über den Gebrauch nichtionischer Tenside (NS) in Haushaltprodukten sind spärlich. Daher ist eine qualitative Bestimmung von NS in Rohabwässern eine alternative Informationsquelle hinsichtlich der Anwesenheit und der Erzeugung von NS. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist, die Identifizierung von NS in Rohabwässern (in Poznan und Blinie in Polen), und in behandelten Abwässern (in Blonie) und der Vergleich der Ergebnisse mit denen, die für Flusswasser (Warta in Poznan, Polen) erhalten wurden. Für diesen Zweck wurde LC-MS/MS eingesetzt. Die Anwesenheit von 116 Ethoxameren, ausschließlich polydisperse Alkoholethoxylate (AE) mit Alkylkettenlängen von C₁₀ bis C₁₆ und C₁₈ sowie mit 20 Polyethylenglykolgruppen, in den Rohabwässern wurde bestätigt, während 68 Ethoxamere, einschließlich 12 Octylphenolethoxy-late, in den behandelten Abwässern gefunden wurden. Sowohl in den Rohabwässern als auch in den behandelten Abwässern wurden keine Nonylethoxylate identifiziert.

Key words: Ethoxylates; sewage; sewage treatment plant; river water; LC-MS/MS

Stichwörter: Ethoxylate; Abwasser; Kläranlage; Flusswasser; LC-MS/MS

*Correspondence address, Dr. Joanna Zembrzuska, Poznan University of Technology, Chemical Technology Faculty, ul. Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland, Tel.: +4 86 16 65 20 15, Fax: +4 86 16 65 25 71, E-Mail: Joanna.Zembrzuska@put.poznan.pl

Daniel Kopiec graduated from Poznan University of Technology in 2001. He is technical director at the Municipal Water and Sewerage Company in Blonie, Poland.

Joanna Zembrzuska graduated from Poznan University of Technology in 1999 and she finished her PhD on 2003 there. Since then she has been working as an assistant professors at the Poznan University of Technology. Her research interests include determination of non-ionic surfactants and pharmaceutical residues in environmental by LC-MS/MS and selenium speciation.

Irena Budnik graduated from Poznan University of Technology in 2010. Since then she has been working as a PhD student there. Her research interests include biodegradation and determination of surfactants in the environment by LC-MS/MS.

Bogdan Wyrwas received his Ph. D. in chemistry from Poznan University of Technology in 1997 and he works there as an assistant professor. His research is focused on analysis and biodegradation of surfactants.

Zbysław Dymaczewski graduated from Poznan University of Technology in 1993 and he finished his PhD on 2001 there. Since then he has been working as an assistant professors at the Poznan University of Technology. His main research interests include water and wastewater treatment technology.

MalgorzataKomorowska-Kaufman received the MS and Ph. D. degrees in Environmental Engineering from Poznan University of Technology. She has been working at PUT in Institute of Environmental Engineering since 2002. Her teaching and research focus mainly on urban and industrial wastewater treatment technologies and water reuse aspects

Zenon Lukaszewki graduated from Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology in 1963. He obtained his PhD in Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan in 1969. In 1978 he received DSc degree (habilitation) from Lodz University of Technology and the title of chemistry professor from the President of Republic of Poland in 1988. He has been working at Poznan University of Technology. His research interests include the determination of non-ionic surfactants and their fate in the environment, as well as thallium in the environment.

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Received: 2015-02-19

Accepted: 2015-05-13

Published Online: 2015-09-15

Published in Print: 2015-09-15

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https://doi.org/10.3139/113.110389

Keywords for this article

Ethoxylates; sewage; sewage treatment plant; river water; LC-MS/MS