A survey on surfactant concentration in southern Caspian sea

We determined concentration of surfactants as mg/I of LAS using Sublation-Methylen Blue method in the south Caspian Sea coastal areas extending from Astara to Bandar-e-Tourkaman. The method was based on the American Standard Method for Examination of Water and Wastewater. We analyzed 53 water samples and found an average surfactant concentration of 0.019mgi1 with the minimum and maximum being 0.008mg/I and 0.038mgi1 respectively. We conclude that presently, surfactant concentration is not critical in the coastal areas. However, care must be exercised interpreting these results considering the synergistic effects between the surfactants and heavy metals and oil hydrocarbons......