Degradation of surface-active compounds in a constructed wetland determined using high performance liquid chromatography and extraction spectrophotometry

0391829 - ÚVGZ 2014 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Sima, J. - Pazderník, M. - Tříska, Jan - Svoboda, L.
Degradation of surface-active compounds in a constructed wetland determined using high performance liquid chromatography and extraction spectrophotometry.
Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering. Roč. 48, č. 5 (2013), s. 559-567. ISSN 1093-4529. E-ISSN 1532-4117
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) ED1.1.00/02.0073
Institutional support: RVO:67179843
Keywords : Municipal wastewater * organic pollutants * anionic and nonionic surfactants * seasonal monitoring * reed bed * ion pair chromatography * environmental analytical chemistry
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 1.135, year: 2013

Degradation of anionic and nonionic surfactants in a constructed wetland with horizontal subsurface flow was studied using high performance liquid chromatography and extraction spectrophotometry. The ratio of individual homologues of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and the efficiency of their removal were studied. Tridecyl-, dodecyl-, undecyl-, and decylbenzene sulfonates were removed with efficiencies of 92.9%, 84.3%, 64.7%, and 41.1%, respectively. These differences are due to sequential shortening of the alkyl chain in homologues during degradation (the higher homologue can provide the lower one). The formation of sulfophenyl carboxylic acids during -oxidation of the alkyl chain followed by successive - and/or -oxidation is also a possible mechanism for removal of LAS. Solid phase extraction using Chromabond (R) HR-P columns was used for preconcentration of the analytes prior to their determination by HPLC. Methylene blue active compounds were determined using extraction spectrophotometry. The average efficiency of their removal was 84.9% in this case. The efficiency of nonionic surfactant removal (98.2%) was significantly higher in comparison to that for anionic surfactants. The concentration of the endocrine disruptor nonylphenol (a product of nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactant degradation) determined in the profile of the wetland was beneath the limit of detection (0.4g/L). The average outflow concentrations of anionic and nonionic surfactants determined by spectrophotometry were 0.54 and 0.021mg/L, respectively. The average outflow concentrations of decyl- and tridecylbenzene sulfonates determined by HPLC were 0.195 and 0.015mg/L. Efficiencies of 86.4% and 92.2% were obtained for removal of organic compounds as indicated by chemical and biochemical oxygen demand (CODCr and BOD5). These results demonstrate the suitability of the constructed wetland for degrading surface-active compounds.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0220810