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Li D, Sheerin ED, Shi Y, Xiao L, Yang L, Boland JJ, Wang JJ. Alcohol Pretreatment to Eliminate the Interference of Micro Additive Particles in the Identification of Microplastics Using Raman Spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12158-12168. [PMID: 36006854 PMCID: PMC9454250 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy is an indispensable tool in the analysis of microplastics smaller than 20 μm. However, due to its limitation, Raman spectroscopy may be incapable of effectively distinguishing microplastics from micro additive particles. To validate this hypothesis, we characterized and compared the Raman spectra of six typical slip additives with polyethylene and found that their hit quality index values (0.93-0.96) are much higher than the accepted threshold value (0.70) used to identify microplastics. To prevent this interference, a new protocol involving an alcohol treatment step was introduced to successfully eliminate additive particles and accurately identify microplastics. Tests using the new protocol showed that three typical plastic products (polyethylene pellets, polyethylene bottle caps, and polypropylene food containers) can simultaneously release microplastic-like additive particles and microplastics regardless of the plastic type, daily-use scenario, or service duration. Micro additive particles can also adsorb onto and modify the surfaces of microplastics in a manner that may potentially increase their health risks. This study not only reveals the hidden problem associated with the substantial interference of additive particles in microplastic detection but also provides a cost-effective method to eliminate this interference and a rigorous basis to quantify the risks associated with microplastic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunzhu Li
- AMBER
Research Centre and Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures
and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
- Department
of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Emmet D. Sheerin
- AMBER
Research Centre and Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures
and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
- School
of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Yunhong Shi
- AMBER
Research Centre and Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures
and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
- Department
of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Liwen Xiao
- Department
of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
- TrinityHaus, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Luming Yang
- AMBER
Research Centre and Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures
and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
- Department
of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - John J. Boland
- AMBER
Research Centre and Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures
and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
- School
of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Jing Jing Wang
- AMBER
Research Centre and Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures
and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
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2
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Holzmann H, Claßen D, Ackermann J, Schäffer A. Fate of 14C-labelled ionic organic chemicals in a water-sediment system and surface water. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:134885. [PMID: 35595110 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The persistence assessment of organic chemicals is based on neutral reference substances. Therefore, our study aimed at investigating the influence of a chemical charge on the degradation of organic compounds in a water-sediment system (OECD 308) and surface water (OECD 309). We used radiolabelled 4-n-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (14C-DS-, anionic), 4-n-dodecylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride (14C-DA+, cationic) and 4-n-dodecylphenol (14C-DP, non-ionic) which are structurally similar except their charges. After 120 days of incubation in a water-sediment system, 68% (14C-DS-), 6% (14C-DA+) and 63% (14C-DP) of the applied radioactivity (AR) were mineralized. The formation of non-extractable residues (NER) after 120 days was highest for 14C-DA+ (33% AR), followed by 14C-DS- (19% AR) and 14C-DP (14% AR). Dissipation half-lives (DT50) at 12 °C decreased as follows: 14C-DA+ (346 days) ≫ 14C-DS- (47 days) > 14C-DP (30 days). After 60 days of incubation in surface water with suspended sediment, mineralization of 14C-DS-, 14C-DA+ and 14C-DP accounted for 63%, 7% and 58% AR, respectively. Highest NER formation was observed for 14C-DP (21% AR), followed by 14C-DA+ (14% AR) and 14C-DS- (9% AR). DT50 (12 °C) decreased as follows: 14C-DA+ (45 days) > 14C-DP (3 days) > 14C-DS- (2 days). We showed that a positive charge reduces the degradability of organic chemicals in both test systems. From a scientific point of view, simulation studies following OECD 309 should always be complimented by tests with high sorption capacity, e.g. OECD 308 and OECD 307 tests in order to assess the degradation of a compound, especially in case of cationic organic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Holzmann
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Daniela Claßen
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany; German Environment Agency (UBA), Section Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Juliane Ackermann
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Section Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Andreas Schäffer
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing, 210093, PR China; Chongqing University, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing, PR China
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3
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Claßen D, Ackermann J, Schaeffer A. Fate and behavior of 14C-labelled ionic compounds in a soil simulation test. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:144970. [PMID: 33736300 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.144970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The influence of an ionic functional group on the fate and behavior of chemicals in the environment has so far not been systematically investigated. This study, therefore, examines the following three substances with high structural similarity but differing charge: non-charged 4-n-dodecylphenol[phenylring-14C(U)] (14C-DP), negatively charged 4-n-dodecylbenzenesulfonicacid[phenylring-14C(U)] sodium salt (14C-DS-) and positively charged 4-n-dodecylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride[phenylring-14C(U)] (14C-DA+). They were investigated in a soil simulation study according to the OECD 307 test guideline by measuring the distribution of the applied radioactivity (AR) among volatile, mineralized, extractable and non-extractable residues (NER) in one soil after 0, 1, 7, 14, 49, 84 and 124 days of incubation. Extractable portions of 14C were examined by means of radio-TLC and -HPLC analyses. Microbial activity of the soil incubated with and without 14C-DP, 14C-DS- and 14C-DA+ was determined measuring the reduction of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) over time. After 124 days of incubation highest mineralization could be observed for 14C-DS- (64.5% AR). Except CO2, no volatile residues were formed over time. Besides the parent compounds, polar (14C-DP, 14C-DS- and 14C-DA+) and nonpolar (14C-DA+) transformation products were detected. Highest amounts of 14C were extracted using methanol and were thus potentially bioavailable for soil microorganisms. Microbial activity was markedly higher in soil incubated with 14C-DP and 14C-DS- compared to 14C-DA+ or soil without any treatment. Half-lives (DT50 k2) at 18 °C were as follows: DA+ (61.8 days) > DS- (18.2 days) > DP (10.0 days). In case of the cationic compound and its transformation products we conclude that a higher sorption affinity to soil particles leads to reduced bioavailability for microorganisms and thus reduced mineralization resulting in a higher persistence compared to anionic and non-charged organic compounds in soil. The impact of our findings on the persistence assessment of chemicals when performing OECD guideline tests in soil, water-sediment and surface water is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Claßen
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; German Environment Agency (UBA), Section Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
| | - Juliane Ackermann
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Section Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Andreas Schaeffer
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China; Chongqing University, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing, China
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Probabilistic risk assessment for linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in sewage sludge used on agricultural soil. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2007; 49:245-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2007.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2007] [Revised: 09/06/2007] [Accepted: 09/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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5
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Jensen J, Smith SR, Krogh PH, Versteeg DJ, Temara A. European risk assessment of LAS in agricultural soil revisited: species sensitivity distribution and risk estimates. CHEMOSPHERE 2007; 69:880-92. [PMID: 17765285 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2007] [Revised: 06/13/2007] [Accepted: 07/15/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) is used at a rate of approximately 430,000 tons/y in Western Europe, mainly in laundry detergents. It is present in sewage sludge (70-5,600 mg/kg; 5-95th percentile) because of its high usage per capita, its sorption and precipitation in primary settlers, and its lack of degradation in anaerobic digesters. Immediately after amendment, calculated and measured concentrations are <1 to 60 mg LAS/kg soil. LAS biodegrades rapidly in soil with primary and ultimate half-lives of up to 7 and 30 days, respectively. Calculated residual concentrations after the averaging time (30 days) are 0.24-18 mg LAS/kg soil. The long-term ecotoxicity to soil microbiota is relatively low (EC10 >or=26 mg sludge-associated LAS/kg soil). An extensive review of the invertebrate and plant ecotoxicological data, combined with a probabilistic assessment approach, led to a PNEC value of 35 mg LAS/kg soil, i.e. the 5th percentile (HC5) of the species sensitivity distribution (lognormal distribution of the EC10 and NOEC values). Risk ratios were identified to fall within a range of 0.01 (median LAS concentration in sludge) to 0.1 (95th percentile) and always below 0.5 (maximum LAS concentration measured in sludge) according to various scenarios covering different factors such as local sewage influent concentration, water hardness, and sewage sludge stabilisation process. Based on the present information, it can be concluded that LAS does not represent an ecological risk in Western Europe when applied via normal sludge amendment to agricultural soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Jensen
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Ministry of the Environment, P.O. Box 314, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
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6
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Kannan N, White SM, Whelan MJ. Predicting diffuse-source transfers of surfactants to surface waters using SWAT. CHEMOSPHERE 2007; 66:1336-45. [PMID: 16908048 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2005] [Revised: 06/14/2006] [Accepted: 07/03/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Chemicals present in domestic wastewater can adsorb to solid phase materials during sewage treatment. If biosolids (or sewage sludge) are applied to land, these chemicals can be transferred to soil. Under some circumstances they can also be transferred to surface waters during storm events either in solution or attached to sediment. In this paper we describe the utility of the SWAT 2000 model to estimate diffuse-source surface water exposure to "down-the-drain" chemicals. The model was applied hypothetically to predict the behaviour of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS), an anionic surfactant commonly used in household detergents, in a small catchment in Bedfordshire, UK, where it has previously been successfully validated for stream flow, sediments and pesticides. LAS transfers were estimated for two scenarios: (1) realistic and (2) reasonable worst case, based on assumptions on sludge application rates and the concentration of LAS in sludge. In addition, the sensitivity of the model output to the proportion of the catchment to which sludge is applied was established. Soil wetness and the total quantity of biosolids applied were the biggest determinants of chemical transport from the catchment. The potential of SWAT as a higher-tier tool in environmental risk assessments is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kannan
- Texas A&M University, Blackland Research and Extension Centre, 720, East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502, USA.
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7
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Gejlsbjerg B, Madsen T, Andersen TT. Comparison of biodegradation of surfactants in soils and sludge-soil mixtures by use of 14C-labelled compounds and automated respirometry. CHEMOSPHERE 2003; 50:321-331. [PMID: 12656251 DOI: 10.1016/s0045-6535(02)00501-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The biodegradability of dodecyl benzene sulphonate (LAS), nonylphenol-di-ethoxylate (NP2EO) and tridecyl-tetra-ethoxylate (LAE) in soil was examined by use of 14C experiments at two concentrations (10 and 400 mg/kg). Increasing the concentration of test chemical from 10 to 400 mg/kg resulted in a decrease in the relative maximum mineralization rate and an increase in the estimated lag times of a factor of approximately 3.5. In sludge-amended soil, the highest expected environmental concentration (just after sludge application) will be around 10 mg/kg for linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS), while the concentration of NP2EO and linear alcohol ethoxylates (LAE) will be much lower. However, when using a respirometric method it is necessary to use a higher concentration of test substance in order to detect biodegradation. In our experiment, amendment with anaerobically digested sludge resulted in a decrease in the mineralization of LAS, NP2EO and LAE for all soils. Respirometric experiments were carried out at 400 mg/kg and could be used for estimation of biodegradation potential of LAS, NP2EO and LAE in soil and sludge-amended soil. For LAS, the results obtained from the respirometric experiments were similar to the results obtained in the 14C experiments, whereas NP2EO and LAE showed a faster degradation in the respirometric experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Gejlsbjerg
- DHI Water and Environment, Department of Ecotoxicology, Agern Allé 11, DK 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
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8
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Mortensen GK, Egsgaard H, Ambus P, Jensen ES, Grøn C. Influence of plant growth on degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in sludge-amended soil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2001; 30:1266-1270. [PMID: 11476504 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2001.3041266x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Widespread application of sewage sludge to agricultural soils in Denmark has led to concern about the possible accumulation and effects of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in the soil ecosystem. Therefore, we have studied the uptake and degradation of LAS in greenhouse pot experiments. Sewage sludge was incorporated into a sandy soil to give a range from very low to very high applications (0.4 to 90 Mg dry wt. ha(-1)). In addition, LAS was added as water solutions. The soil was transferred to pots and sown with barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Apex), rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Hyola 401), or carrot (Daucus carota L.). Also, plant-free controls were established. For all additions there was no plant uptake above the detection limit at 0.5 mg LAS kg(-1) d.w, but plant growth stimulated the degradation. With a growth period of 30 d, LAS concentrations in soil from pots with rape had dropped from 27 to 1.4 mg kg(-1) dry wt., but in plant-free pots the concentration decreased only to 2.4 mg kg(-1) dry wt. When LAS was added as a spike, the final concentration in soil from planted pots was 0.7 mg kg(-1) dry wt., but in pots without plants the final concentration was much higher (2.5 mg kg(-1) dry wt.). During degradation, the relative fraction of homologues C10, C11, and C12 decreased, while C13 increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Mortensen
- Plant Biology and Biogeochemistry Dep, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Cowan CE, Federle TW, Larson RJ, Feijtel TC. Impact of biodegradation test methods on the development and applicability of biodegradation QSARs. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 1996; 5:37-49. [PMID: 8640584 DOI: 10.1080/10629369608031705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The biodegradability of a substance depends on the structure and physical form of the substance, the time that has been available for acclimation, and the environmental conditions. Importantly, these later factors can be just as important as structure in determining the outcome of a biodegradation test. The development of appropriate QSARs for biodegradation and the ultimate value of the final QSAR depends on understanding these factors. This paper will describe what is known about the effect of test conditions on the results of biodegradation tests. The ability of these tests to reflect real environmental conditions will also be examined. Finally, we will discuss what we believe, in the light of this information, should be the goal of biodegradation QSARs and how these QSARs can be most appropriately used in fate assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Cowan
- Procter & Gamble Company, Ivorydale Technical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Knaebel DB, Federle TW, McAvoy DC, Vestal JR. Effect of Mineral and Organic Soil Constituents on Microbial Mineralization of Organic Compounds in a Natural Soil. Appl Environ Microbiol 1994; 60:4500-8. [PMID: 16349465 PMCID: PMC202011 DOI: 10.1128/aem.60.12.4500-4508.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This research addressed the effect of mineral and organic soil constituents on the fate of organic compounds in soils. Specifically, it sought to determine how the associations between organic chemicals and different soil constituents affect their subsequent biodegradation in soil. Four
14
C-labeled surfactants were aseptically adsorbed to montmorillonite, kaolinite, illite, sand, and humic acids. These complexes were mixed with a woodlot soil, and
14
CO
2
production was measured over time. The mineralization data were fitted to various production models by nonlinear regression, and a mixed (3/2)-order model was found to most accurately describe the mineralization patterns. Different mineralization patterns were observed as a function of the chemical and soil constituents. Surfactants that had been preadsorbed to sand or kaolinite usually showed similar mineralization kinetics to the control treatments, in which the surfactants were added to the soil as an aqueous solution. Surfactants that had been bound to illite or montmorillonite were typically degraded to lesser extents than the other forms, while surfactant-humic acid complexes were degraded more slowly than the other forms. The desorption coefficients (
K
d
) of the soil constituent-bound surfactants were negatively correlated with the initial rates of degradation (
k
1
) and estimates of
14
CO
2
yield (
P
o
) as well as actual total yields of
14
CO
2
. However, there was no relationship between
K
d
and second-stage zero-order rates of mineralization (
k
o
). Microbial community characteristics (biomass and activity) were not correlated with any of the mineralization kinetic parameters. Overall, this study showed that environmental form had a profound effect on the ultimate fate of biodegradable chemicals in soil. This form is defined by the physicochemical characteristics of the chemical, the composition and mineralogy of the soil, and the mode of entry of the chemical into the soil environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D B Knaebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006
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Romera J, Ventura F, Caixach J, Rivera J, Guerrero R. Fate and toxicity assessment of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in drinking water using the ames test. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1993. [DOI: 10.1002/tox.2530080404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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12
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Kinetics and practical significance of biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in the environment. J AM OIL CHEM SOC 1993. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02640999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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