Anaerobic biodegradation of detergent surfactants
The Enterprise Directorate-General is inviting tenders for a study to determine and analyse the effects on the environment of incomplete biodegradation of surfactants under anaerobic conditions. The study should cover the 15 Member States and three accession countries (Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic). The contractor should gather relevant information to: - analyse and compile an exhaustive set of available data on concentrations of all detergent surfactants in the different environmental compartments; - evaluate the effects caused by those surfactants in the environmental compartments; - assess the environmental benefit/costs of alternatives; - report on evaluations during the past 30 years of the problems posed by poor biodegradation of detergent surfactants under anaerobic conditions and on possible remedies such as aeration of sludge; - - carry out biodegradability tests by the most predictive bio-pilot tests; - recommend methods for the measurement of biological degradation; - recommend cost effective measures to achieve better biodegradation. For further information, please contact: European Commission Enterprise Directorate-General Unit E/3 - Chemicals Ms Ignas Peeters AN88 4/42 rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2950281 E-mail: ignas.peeters@cec.eu.int