Occurrence and concentrations of aromatic surfactants and their degradation products in river waters of Taiwan

The preliminary results of a study on the concentrations of aromatic surfac tants (nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEO) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate s (LAS)) and their degradation products in river waters of Taiwan were unde rtaken to establish environmental concentrations and to support surface wat er protection programs. The analytes were determined by ion-trap GC/MS in E I and CI modes after concentration onto graphitized carbon black (GCB) soli d phase extraction columns. The highest concentrations of NPEO and their de gradation products (total 1,100 mu g/L) were recorded in the river downstre am of the effluent discharge from the industrial parks. However, the highes t concentrations of LAS (135 mu g/L) were determined in the samples from do wntown where the municipal wastewaters were discharged directly into the ri ver. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.