LINEAR ALKYLBENZENESULFONATES (LAS) OF AN URBAN STREAM IN KOREA

Profiles of alkyl homologues and isomers of LAS were monitored for an urban stream polluted with municipal wastewaters in Korea. Alkylchains of the stream LAS were shorter than commercial standards and higher I /E ratios were associated with lower LAS concentrations. These suggest ed a partial biodegradation of LAS in the stream. Higher LAS concentra tions were observed in the upper stream. LAS levels were at their lowe st during summer probably due to high precipitation and faster biodegr adation rates. LAS contributed to about 29% of MBAS and could be used to roughly estimate BOD concentration of the stream.