Primary biodegradation and mineralization of hair shampoos in fresh, brackish and marine waters of the Niger Delta

Abstract

Two methods, the methylene blue active stain (MBAS) river die away method for monitoring primary biodegradation of surfactants and the ultimate biodegradability method for monitoring mineralization of the total biodegradable organic component in a compound were employed to determine the biodegradability of three hair shampoos, (Hair fruit shampoo, New Goldmax super antidandruff shampoo and Goldmax antidandruff shampoo) for a 28-day period. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) served as the reference chemical. After 28 days, the percentages of MBAS remaining in fresh, brackish and marine waters respectively were: for hair fruits shampoo, 83.8, 95 and 2; for New Goldmax super antidandruff shampoo, 83.8, 80 and 12.5; for Goldmax antidandruff shampoo, 66.7, 59.5 and 17.3. However, the percentages of mineralization were: for carbon of hair fruit shampoo, 13.5, 8.6 and 95.2; for carbon of New Goldmax super antidandruff shampoo, 53.9,72.9 and 99.7, and for carbon of Goldmax antidandruff shampoo, 90.2, 83.2 and 99.8. Primary biodegradation and mineralization of SDS was independent of water type. The extent of both primary biodegradation and mineralization followed the trend: marine water > brackish water = fresh water. These results indicated that the extent of Primary biodegradation and mineralization was greatest with marine water of Bonny estuary and the two test methods produced the same results.



Key words; Primary biodegradation, Mineralization, Shampoos, Freshwater, Brackish water, Marine water.

[Global Jnl Environ Sci Vol.2(2) 2003: 88-95]