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Abstract
An analytical method for nonionic surfactants has been developed using sublation and ion-exchange for isolation of the surfactants and complex formation with potassium zinc tetrathiocyanate followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometric assay of zinc released from the complex through acid extraction. The detection limit for this method is 0.01 mg/l Triton X-100. Recoveries higher than 90% were obtained starting from samples spiked with 0.1 mg/l Triton X-100. The method has been applied to 70 surface water samples coming from a quality survey of the River Meuse in France, Belgium and The Netherlands organised by the RIWA–Cooperating Rhine and Meuse Water Supply Companies. The highest level (0.50 mg/l) was found below the outfall of a surfactant-producing firm. Downstream these discharge levels decreased rapidly.