Determination of anionic surfactants during wastewater recycling process by ion pair chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection

A direct approach utilizing ion pairing reversed-phase chromatography coupl ed with suppressed conductivity detection was developed to monitor biodegra dation of anionic surfactants during wastewater recycling through hydroponi c plant growth systems and fixed-film bioreactors. Samples of hydroponic nu trient solution and bioreactor effluent with high concentrations (up to 120 mS electrical conductance) of inorganic ions can be analyzed without pretr eatment or interference. The presence of non-ionic surfactants did not sign ificantly affect the analysis. Dynamic linear ranges for tested surfactants [Igepon TC-42,, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and sodium alkyl (C-10-C-16) ether sulfate] were 2 similar to 500, 1 similar to 500, 2.5 similar to 550 and 3.0 similar to 630 mu g/ml, respectively. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.