Alkylphenol ethoxylates and their degradation products in abiotic and biological samples from the environment

Analytical procedures were optimized for the analysis of surfactants and th eir degradation products in abiotic and biological samples. The procedures include filtration of water samples and Soxhlet extraction of sediment or s ludge samples, followed by automated SPE (C-18 cartridge) and cleanup (Al2O 3). For biological materials a matrix dispersed solid phase extraction meth od was used. Using these methods, information was obtained about the efficiency of the s ewage treatment plants, the changes in oligomer ratios of APEO between infl uent and effluent, the formation and occurrence of metabolites, and the int ernal concentrations that may occur when mussels are exposed to APEO in the field.