LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS)
several orders of magnitude lower as a consequence as their lower
hydrophobicity.
Remarks: The LAS concentration in the upper sediment layer (0-8 cm) decreased with
distance from the point of effluent discharge. The concentration of LAS in
the sediment was up to 1000 times greater than that in the interstitial water.
For SPC, the concentrations in the sediment and interstitial water were
similar to each other.
Reference: Leon, V.M., Gonzalez-Mazo, E., Pajares, J.M.F., and Gomez-Parra, A. 2001.
Vertical distribution profiles of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and their longchain
intermediate degradation products in coastal marine sediments.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 20:2171-2178.
Reliability: 2 Valid with restrictions
(u)
Type of Measurement: Background [ ]; At contaminated site [ ]; Other [X] Predicted marine
water concentrations in the North Sea
Medium: Estuarine and marine surface water
Method: LAS environmental concentrations were predicted from per capita LAS use
(2.5 g LAS/cap/day in Western Europe), water treatment statistics, and
population estimates for Western Europe.
Results: The predicted LAS concentration range in the estuaries around the North Sea
are 0.9-9 µg/L, which is in agreement with field monitoring data (1-9 µg/L)
from the western Scheldt estuary.
Remarks: A risk assessment of LAS in marine sediments was initiated in 2002 and is
expected to be available in 2004.
Reference: Temara, A., Carr, G., Webb, S., Versteeg, D. and Feijtel, T. 2001. Marine
risk assessment: linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in the North Sea.
Marine Poll. Bulletin. 42:635-642.
Reliability: 2 Valid with restrictions
(v)
Type of Measurement: Background [ ]; At contaminated site [ ]; Other [X] Coastal waters and
sediments in the Elbe estuary
Medium: Surface water and marine sediments
Test Substance: LAS
Method: Water samples (100-L) were collected from a depth of 5 m at several
locations in the Elbe estuary of the German Bight of the North Sea.
Sediment samples were collected at the same locations. All samples were
extracted and analyzed for LAS and other compounds (e.g. nonylphenols)
present in detergents.
Results: The maximum concentration of LAS in surface waters was 0.03 µg/L and
occurred in marinas in the Elbe estuary. Sediment LAS concentration ranged
from 39-109 µg/kg dry weight.
Remarks: The LAS found in marina sediment probably originated from the discharges
of municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Reference: Bester, K., Theobald, N., and Schroeder, H.Fr. 2001. Nonylphenols,
nonylphenol-ethoxylates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS) and bis (4schlorophenyl)–sulfone
in the German Bight of the North Sea.
Chemosphere. 45:817-826.
Reliability: 2 Valid with restrictions
UNEP PUBLICATIONS 147