Detergents: A review of the nature, chemistry, and behavior in the aquatic environment. Part I. Chemical composition and analytical techniques

Abstract

The 20th century can properly be called the age of organic chemistry. Coastal environments receive a variety of land‐derived organic inputs, both natural and synthetic. Among them, detergents are probably the largest class of technical products of domestic use. Detergent science has undergone revolutionary changes since its early beginnings in the 1930s. The dramatic increase in the production of detergents has completely altered our immediate human environment and has provided a wealth of new materials. Depending on the compositions of detergent molecules, they have transformed our natural environment both intentionally and unintentionally. Thus, during the last 2 decades, most of the published literature regarding detergent analysis has concentrated on the determination of low levels of surfactants and their metabolites in environmental materials. In order to study the nature, chemistry, and behavior of detergents in the aquatic environment, our goals in this paper concern two main parts. The first is to present a complete review of the chemical compositions of detergent molecules, including surfactants, builders, and additives, showing the different types available. The second goal is to provide a complete and comprehensive review of the analytical technqiues used for the determination of surfactants. These techniques involve volumetric, colorimetric, Chromatographic, electrophoretic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical methods.

Key words:

• aquatic environment
• chemical composition
• analytical techniques
• surfactants
• detergents