Determinación de biodegradabilidad de detergentes comerciales mediante tratamientos biológicos

Abstract

According to the scope of this research, the history and use of detergents, their formulations and the effects they can cause on aquatic environments are generally mentioned. In addition, procedures of the tests carried out on detergents that were selected by applying a survey to a population of 34 people in charge of cleaning are detailed. Among the tests carried out, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), anionic surfactants, pH and conductivity all were performed by standard methodology for wastewater. The evaluation method that was applied for the biodegradability of surfactants is that of ASTM 2667. The results obtained indicate that none of the commercial detergents selected reached 65% in the BOD / COD ratio during the 21-day period to be considered as a biodegradable product in reference to what the standard applied for the study indicates.