Determination of MBAS in Wastewater: Analysis Methods and Environmental Applications

Importance of Determination of Surfactant (MBAS) in Wastewater

What are Surfactants (MBAS)?

Surfactants (MBAS) are chemicals commonly used in detergents, soaps, cleaning agents and industrial processes in everyday life. The presence of these substances in wastewater can have harmful effects on water resources. Therefore, surfactant determination in wastewater is an important analysis.

Many studies are carried out on many factors in the fight against environmental pollution. Especially the problems that may occur in the ecosystem with the mixing of wastewater with natural water is one of them. There may be many chemicals in wastewater that can cause pollution. One of these is detergents, which are frequently used in our homes and industrially.

Methylene blue active substances (MBAS) are defined as anionic surfactants that can be detected by colometric or color reaction methods. The MBAS method is an important analysis method for estimating the anionic surfactant content of water.

SM 5540 B: Anionic Surfactants as MBAS
SM 5540 C: Anionic Surfactants as MBAS

Determination of Surfactant (MBAS) in Wastewater: Why is it Necessary?

Surfactants become soluble in water environments and cause water pollution. These substances increase the biological oxygen demand of water, reduce the light transmittance of water and can have toxic effects on fish and other aquatic organisms. The concentration of surfactants can be quite high, especially in wastewater from industry and facilities using cleaning products. Therefore, the determination of surfactant in wastewater is critical for the protection of water quality and environmental sustainability of water resources.

Methods for Determination of Surfactant (MBAS) in Wastewater

There are several common analysis methods for surfactant determination in wastewater:

Classical Methylen Blue Activity Determination (MBAS Test): Surfactants dissolved in wastewater react with methylen blue to form a complex. The intensity of this complex indicates the amount of surfactant. The wastewater sample is taken and treated with a solvent and then reacted. The absorbance of the resulting complex is measured in a spectrophotometer. This method is suitable for the determination of surfactant with high sensitivity and low concentrations and is generally used for the determination of surfactant at low concentrations (µg/L).
Fluorescence Monitoring Method: Surfactants fluoresce under UV light. The wastewater sample is analyzed under UV light and the surfactant concentration is calculated based on the fluorescence intensity. This method is less efficient than spectrophotometric analysis of surfactants and can also detect surfactants with different chemical compositions.
Flame Ionization Method (GC-FID): This method is implemented by analyzing surfactants using gas chromatography. Surfactants are ionized in the gas phase and passed through a combustion chamber, where ionization takes place during the combustion reaction. The wastewater sample is submitted to gas chromatography and the surfactants are measured. This method is very sensitive and suitable for measuring surfactant concentrations over a wide range.
Consistency Decline Method (ESI - ESI Method): Surfactants change the consistency of the solution by reducing the surface tension of water. Based on these consistency changes, the surfactant concentration is determined. The wastewater sample is diluted in a suitable solvent and the surfactant concentration is calculated by measuring the consistency change. The ESI method is a low-cost and practical method, especially preferred in situations requiring rapid analysis in the field.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of MBAS Determination in Wastewater. We also provide services in Seawater Analysis.

You can follow us on LinkedIn for up-to-date news and posts about our services.

Follow our Instagram account to be informed about our latest blog posts.