Document Type
Paper presentation
School Name
Taytay Senior High School
School Code
ARCH00058
Abstract / Executive Summary
Surfactants in soaps and detergents significantly impact the environment, altering the physicochemical properties of soil and water, which may harm aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics of selected soaps and their residue count. A total of eleven (11) different soaps, including commercialized and homemade variants, were tested in triplicates. Parameters such as pH, conductivity, salt concentration, and temperature were measured to assess their effects on water quality. Results indicated that most soap samples were basic, with only three showing acidic characteristics. Conductivity levels varied significantly, with Soap J exhibiting the highest value. Salt concentration differences among soaps were also observed, with Soap J having the highest salt content. Temperature remained relatively stable throughout the experiment. Residue counts were measured through analytical balance to weigh the initial and residue of the soaps after 87 days diluted with sludge. It showed no significant difference both in physicochemical characteristics and residue counts of selected soaps with (p = 0.461) at 0.01 alpha level. Whereas, environmental factors such as pH, conductivity, and temperature had a significant impact (p = 0.0000, F = 25.178). This study highlights the impact of soap residues, as the higher the number of residues in soaps, the higher the impact on the environment. The result can be used as baseline data to predict or model the impact of the amount of soap used and status of waterways within the community using the residue counts and degradability principles.
Keywords:
soaps; residue; physicochemical properties; water ways
Characterization and Residue Counts of Selected Soaps
Surfactants in soaps and detergents significantly impact the environment, altering the physicochemical properties of soil and water, which may harm aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics of selected soaps and their residue count. A total of eleven (11) different soaps, including commercialized and homemade variants, were tested in triplicates. Parameters such as pH, conductivity, salt concentration, and temperature were measured to assess their effects on water quality. Results indicated that most soap samples were basic, with only three showing acidic characteristics. Conductivity levels varied significantly, with Soap J exhibiting the highest value. Salt concentration differences among soaps were also observed, with Soap J having the highest salt content. Temperature remained relatively stable throughout the experiment. Residue counts were measured through analytical balance to weigh the initial and residue of the soaps after 87 days diluted with sludge. It showed no significant difference both in physicochemical characteristics and residue counts of selected soaps with (p = 0.461) at 0.01 alpha level. Whereas, environmental factors such as pH, conductivity, and temperature had a significant impact (p = 0.0000, F = 25.178). This study highlights the impact of soap residues, as the higher the number of residues in soaps, the higher the impact on the environment. The result can be used as baseline data to predict or model the impact of the amount of soap used and status of waterways within the community using the residue counts and degradability principles.
