Integrated approach to surfactant environmental safety assessment: Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting to determine the mechanism and kinetics of surfactant biodegradation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ac00047a013

Fast atom bombardment man spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting have been used to study the biodegradation of a novel cationic surfactant In live sludge. The rates of primary biodegradation and the extent of complete miner allzation were determined. Furthermore, an Intermediate degradation product was Identified and Its rates of formation and subsequent removal have been established. These data find utility In assessing the environmental safety of the surfactant and the accuracy of various environmental fate models.