Distribution and survival of nonionic surfactants in the surface, sea and groundwater of Israel

Abstract

The transport, distribution, and survival of organic detergent pollutants from point and nonpoint sources in rivers, sea, and groundwater is an issue of major concern worldwide. Preliminary studies conducted in Israel have indicated that, thus far, in spite of what has been done, both surface and groundwaters are contaminated by surfactants, especially the nonbiodegradable ('hard'), nonionic detergents. These findings suggest that laundry detergent formulations are a causal factor.