Comparative estimation of the biodegradability of nonionogenic surfactants

The susceptibility of nonionogenic surfactants to degradation under the action of destructive strains from microbiological collections and native microorganisms in various environmental sites was analyzed. The nature of microbial degradation of surfactants belonging to the group of oxyethylated alkyl phenols substantially differed from that of oxyethylated alcohols; moreover, the same brands of surfactants produced by different manufacturers biodegraded to different extents. The data suggest that the approach proposed in this work can be applied to the estimation of the self-decontaminating ability of natural objects polluted by surfactants.