Toxicity reduction of surfactant submitted to electron beam irradiation. Preliminary results

The present paper aims the comprehension of ionizing radiation effects on surfactants and the improvement of sewage and industrial effluents where detergents are discharged. The surfactant related problems may include acute and chronic toxicity, decreasing the dissolved oxygen in the waterways, and reducing the biodegradability capacity. In this sense, ionizing radiation has been applied to LAS and to industrial effluents for acute toxicity reduction associated to the surfactants degradation. Radiation effects were preliminarily evaluated by the acute toxicity reduction when 3 kGy, 6 kGy and 9 kGy radiation doses were applied to surfactant (DSS). Toxicity studies were carried out with D.similis and with V. fischeri which evidenced an important acute toxicity removal by 79% for 6,0 kGy. An important pH reduction was followed by conductivity increasing as radiation dose was implemented. (author)