Detergent Pollution

Detergents are organic compounds, which have both polar and

nonpolar characteristics. They tend to exist at phase boundaries, where
they are associated with both polar and non- polar media. Detergents
exhibit remarkable efficacy in the eradication of dirt and soil particles
from textiles composed of both synthetic and natural fibers.

Based on ionic nature, Detergents are three types:

Anionic
Cationic
Non-Ionic

Anionic and cationic detergents have permanent negative and positive

charge, attached to non-polar (hydrophobic) c-c chains. Alkyl benzene
sulfonates (ABS) are frequently found as anionic detergents. The
alkylbenzene component of these anions exhibits lipophilic properties, while
the sulfonate group demonstrates hydrophilic characteristics. Cationic
detergents share similarities with anionic detergents due to the presence of a
hydrophilic component. I.e. quaternary ammonium.

Non-ionic detergents have no such permanent charge; instead, they have a

number of atoms which are weakly electropositive and electronegative.
This is due to the electron- attracting power of oxygen atoms.

Phosphate Detergent:
Phosphate detergents contain phosphate and are highly caustic. Phosphate
detergents are used in detergents to soften hard water and help suspended
dirt in water.

Surfactant Detergent:
Surfactant detergents are very toxic and are used to enhance the wetting,
foaming, dispersing and emulsifying properties of detergents.

Application of Detergents

Detergents are very widely used in both industrials and domestic

premises like soaps and detergents to wash vehicles.

Detergents are also used in pesticides formulation and for dispersing oil
spills at sea. The degradation of alkylphenol polyethoxylates (non-ionic)
can lead to the formation of alkylphenols, which acts as endocrine
disruptors.

High phosphate detergents are used to clean windows and doors or any
other high friction surfaces, which reduce the lead dust effectively.
Structure of Detergent
Detergents encompass a class of chemicals characterized by an amphiphilic
molecular structure, wherein each individual molecule possesses a
hydrophilic (polar) head and an elongated hydrophobic (non-polar) tail.

The hydrophobic portion of these molecules has the potential to display

either linear or branched hydrocarbon structures, or it may feature a shape
like that of a steroid.

The hydrophilic component demonstrates a wider range of diversity,

including both ionic and non-ionic properties, and exhibits a spectrum of
structural complexity that ranges from simple to sophisticated arrangements.

Which Substance Should the Preferred Commercial

Detergent??
Effects of Detergent in Freshwater

Detergents have poisonous effects in all types of aquatic life if they are
present in sufficient quantities, and this includes the biodegradables
detergents.

All detergents destroy the external mucus layers that protect the fish from
bacteria and parasites as well as they can cause severe damage to the gills.

Most of the fishes will die when detergent concentrations approach 15 ppm.

Detergent concentrations as low as 5 ppm will kill fish eggs.

Surfactant detergents are implicated in decreasing the breeding ability of

aquatic organisms.

Detergents create problems for aquatic life by lowering the surface tension
of the water. Organic chemicals such as pesticides and phenol then much
more easily absorbed by the fish. A detergent concentration of only 2 ppm
can cause fish to absorb the double amount of chemicals as compared to
normally they absorb.
Phosphates detergent can lead to freshwater algal blooms that release toxins
and deplete oxygen in waterways. When the algae decomposes, they use up
the oxygen available for aquatic life.

The main contributors to the toxicity of detergents were the sodium silicate
solution.

The potential for acute aquatic toxic effects due to the release of secondary
or tertiary sewage effluents containing the breakdown products of laundry
detergent may frequently be low.

Untreated or primary treated effluents containing detergents may pose a

problem. Chronic and /or other sub lethal effects also pose a problem.

Ground Water Pollution

Ground water pollution is nearly always caused by human activities. In the

areas where population density is high and use of land is intensive, ground
water is especially vulnerable. Virtually any chemical or waste may be
released to environment has the potential to pollute ground water.
It is difficult and expensive to clean up if the ground water is contaminated.