Surface-Active Agents in Effluents of the Textile Industry

Abstract

As the use of water in the textile industry is great, the quantities of effluents are huge too. The surface-active agents pollute the textile effluents considerably. In higher concentrations they can endanger flora and fauna of water systems, exerting influence for instance on the decrease of dyestuff flocculation and retard the deposit of suspended particles by diminishing the tension of water surface, as well as by their dispersing action. The products of their decomposition can be often found in effluents, which can cause environmental pollution. For this reason the parameters for analitical evaluation of effluents and their composition must be dealt with. The toxity of surface-active agents, as well as lethal effect for fish and lower organisms in water systems must be determined. Particular regard is devoted to the composition of effluents from the plants.