Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Effect of alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants on nitrate-based bioremediation

Conference ·
OSTI ID:370275
; ;  [1]
  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States)
The effect of two alkylphenol polyethoxylate nonionic surfactants, Triton X-100 and Surfonic N-100, on biodegradation of petroleum-derived monoaromatic hydrocarbons using nitrate as the electron acceptor has been studied in aquifer material from Eglin Air Force Base. The compounds studied were benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m-, and p-xylene, and 1,2,3-, 1,2.4-, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene. Surfactants were added at three concentrations, one-half the critical micelle concentration (0.5XCMC), 2XCMC, and 5XCMC. No enhancement of biodegradation was observed at any surfactant concentration. The presence of surfactants at any concentration inhibited biodegradation of some compounds, especially o-xylene and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene. However, removal of toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene was not affected by the higher surfactant concentrations.
OSTI ID:
370275
Report Number(s):
CONF-960376--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English