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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Extraction and Characterization of Surfactants from Atmospheric Aerosols
Published on: April 21, 2017
Degradation of anionic surfactants and the effect on bacterial indices of pollution
Abstract:
The effect of two anionic surfactants on bacterial indicators of pollution has been studied. In raw Nile water continuous viability of faecal streptococci and natural microflora, as represented by total bacterial counts, was observed in the presence of the two surfactants. On the other hand, "Teepol 610" inhibited the growth of coliform group to some extent. In sewage-seeded water "Teepol 410" showed substantially greater degree of inhibition for faecal streptococci. The encouragement of the total coliform was observed only during the first period of exposure. The biodegradation rate of "Teepol 610" by microflora in both raw Nile water and sewage-seeded water was higher than 90% in about 10 days. In case of "Teepol 410" biodegradation tests showed that it is a hard surfactant; 7 weeks were required to get about 80% degradation.
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