Monitoring Long-Chain Intermediate Products from the Degradation of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates in the Marine Environment by Solid-Phase Extraction Followed by Liquid Chromatography/Ionspray Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The distribution of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and their biodegradation intermediates (SPC) has been studied at a salt marsh of the Bay of Cadiz. The identification and quantification of LAS and SPC was carried out after solidphase extraction of 250 mL of water samples followed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence, diode array, and ionspray mass spectrometry. The latter procedure permitted the unequivocal confirmation of long-chain SPC, of up to 11 carbon atoms in seawater, and of up to 13 carbon atoms in interstitial water. Some of these compounds have not been described until now in environmental samples. The relative abundance of the SPC found at some of the sampling stations agrees with what would be expected after the occurrence of the first and second β-oxidations of the alkyl chain of the various homologues of commercial LAS. Furthermore, the existence of SPC-C13 in interstitial water proves unequivocally that ω-oxidation occurs in the environment. In general terms, the persistence of longchain SPC is evidence that the biodegradation of LAS is a slow process in a marine environment that is deficient in oxygen and highly contaminated with other organic substrates.

An α-Proteobacterium Converts Linear Alkylbenzenesulfonate Surfactants into Sulfophenylcarboxylates and Linear Alkyldiphenyletherdisulfonate Surfactants into Sulfodiphenylethercarboxylates

“…We do not yet know whether strain DS-1 is representative of many LAS degraders. Cometabolic reactions of multicomponent monooxygenases in autotrophs or methanotrophs are suspected or known (W. Dong and A. M. Cook, unpublished data; 13), and the anticipated follow-up product of such a monooxygenation is observed in the field (10). However, the requirement of strain DS-1 for a surface to allow growth in pure culture, coupled to the lack of growth on complex medium, would be a very good explanation for the failure of many attempts to obtain such organisms.…”

Responses and toxin bioaccumulation in duckweed (Lemna minor) under microcystin-LR, linear alkybenzene sulfonate and their joint stress

“…In 1998 alone, the global consumption of LAS was approximately 2.8 × 10 6 tons [14]. After use, LAS can enter into the aquatic environment and is eliminated from water primarily by biodegradation and absorption [15]. However, in anoxic and anaerobic conditions, LAS degradation is very slow causing it to accumulate in the aquatic environment [16].…”

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in water of Lake Dianchi—spatial and seasonal variation, and kinetics of biodegradation

“…After application, LAS can enter into the aquatic environment (rivers and lakes) directly (i.e., without treatment) or as residual component from the discharge of wastewater treatment plants. In aquatic environments, LAS can be eliminated from water by two processes: (1) biodegradation by microorganisms and (2) adsorption by suspended particles and by sediments (González-Mazo et al 1997a). Biodegradation is regarded as the major pathway to eliminate LAS in the water (Takada and Ogura 1992), but in anoxic and anaerobic conditions, their degradation is very slow and can be accumulated in aquatic environment (Tabor and Barber 1996;González-Mazo et al 1998).…”