Identification of Non-ionic Surfactants in Elements of the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

Information concerning the use of non-ionic surfactants (NS) in household products is very scanty. Therefore, a qualitative determination of NS in raw sewage is an alternative source of information concerning the presence and manufacture of NS. The aim of this work was to identify NS in raw sewage (in Poznan and Blonie, both Poland) and treated sewage (in Blonie) and to compare the results with those obtained for river water (Warta in Poznan, Poland). LC-MS/MS was used for this purpose. The presence of 116 ethoxamers, being exclusively polydispersal alcohol ethoxylates (AE) containing alkyl moieties from C₁₀ to C₁₆ and C₁₈, as well as 20 poly(ethylene glycols), was confirmed in the raw sewage, while 68 ethoxamers were found in the treated sewage, including 12 octylphenol ethoxylates. No nonylphenol ethoxylates were identified in the raw or treated sewage.