Observations on the decay of synthetic anionic detergents in natural waters

Abstract

The effect of storage on various synthetic anionic detergents in low concentration in natural waters has been studied. Some compounds are easily oxidised by the bacteria normally present in such waters, but those compounds found in present day household packages are generally resistant.An attempt has been made to find the reason why certain compounds are susceptible, and others resistant, to bacterial oxidation. The deciding factor appears to be the nature of the alkyl group in the detergent; straight‐chain compounds are easily attacked, but branched‐chain compounds show resistance.