Fate of Triton X‐100 Applications on Water and Soil Environments: A Review

Abstract Triton X‐100 applications as surfactant raises concern on water and soil environment due to its non‐biodegradability and inhibition effect. This paper aims at reviewing Triton X‐100 biodegradability and inhibition literature. It shows Triton X‐100 is biodegradable by aerobic and anaerobic municipal wastewater sludge and Vibrio cyclitrophicus ‐sp‐Nov organism. Adsorption and biodegradation are mechanisms of Triton removal. Triton inhibits anaerobic sludge organisms and some single aerobic organisms. Inhibition mechanisms are substrate shortage, physiological membrane‐damaging and/or alteration in organism cell membrane. Thus Triton X‐100 fate in the environment and its sustainable application can be controlled via proper selection of organism type, Triton concentration, and substrate.