Abstract
The biodegradability of propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and trimethylolethane, when challenged by activated or anaerobic sludge microorganisms, was investigated. The disappearance of the substrates was monitored by gas chromatography. Glycols are industrial pollutants also found as hydrolysis products from the corresponding nitrates, which are used as military propellants. Propylene glycol was readily degraded. The initial stage of decomposition of diethylene and triethylene glycol was nonbiological, but trimethylolethane was relatively stable under the conditions tested. A gas chromatographic method was developed for direct injections of the glycols in aqueous solutions having a limit of detection in the low-ppm range. This represents a significant improvement in sensitivity over previously reported methods for aqueous solutions of glycols. (Refs. 13).
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