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Cationic surfactant-enhanced sorption and nonionic surfactant-enhanced solubilization of hydrophobic organic contaminants in groundwater. Final report, October 1993--April 1997

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:305770

This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using surfactants to immobilize and recover contaminants from groundwater. Before such a remediation method can be employed in the field, a understanding of the complex transport, partitioning behavior, and interactions of the surfactants and in a dynamic groundwater system is required. Batch, column and box aquifer model experiments conducted to investigate the proposed remediation strategy. Also, numerical modeling tools were developed to predict the coupled cationic/nonionic/HOC transport behavior within a dynamic groundwater. Experimental results show that it is feasible to create a stationary cationic surfactant-enhanced in situ within an aquifer. The main criteria for sorbent zone development are a relatively high exchange capacity, a low carbon content, and a relatively homogeneous and permeable aquifer. Numerical simulation results indicate that mass-transfer limiting desorption of the cationic surfactant will likely occur within an enhanced sorbent zone.

Research Organization:
Applied Research Associates, Inc., Panama City, FL (United States)
OSTI ID:
305770
Report Number(s):
AD-A--356125/XAB; CNN: Contract F08635-93-C-0020
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English