Degradation of Recalcitrant Surfactants in Wastewater by Ozonation and Advanced Oxidation Processes: A Review

Surfactants are used in varieties of industrial cleansing processes as well as in consumer products. Spent surfactants normally enter domestic or industrial wastewater and are treated biologically. However, some of them are resistant to biodegradation and are released into the environment. Thus, the toxicity and environmental persistence of these surfactants are emerging concerns. Based on extensive review of the literature, ozonation and advanced oxidation using various combinations of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet light irradiation, and iron salts were found effective in degrading recalcitrant surfactants, including linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and quaternary ammonium surfactants. Biodegradability of these surfactants was improved after the treatment to some extent in the aqueous solution as well as in real wastewaters.