Amphiphilic compounds or surfactants are chemical compounds that
lower the interfacial surface tension. Their molecules contain both hydrophilic groups
(hydrophilic head) and the lipophilic molecular part (hydrophobic tail). Surfactants are
used in many technological processes and are also found in high concentrations in many
household products such as detergents and other cleaning agents. Therefore, they are also
present in wastewaters and can represent the environmental risks to aquatic ecosystems.
In my diploma thesis, I will focus on the effects of surfactants to the wastewater. In doing
so, I will pay attention to their effects on the environment and especially the processes
we use to remove them from wastewater.
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