Selection of nonionic surfactants in enhancing biodegradation of phenanthrene in soil
- Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
This research addresses the influence of sub-cmc concentrations of selected commercial nonionic surfactants on the biodegradation of phenanthrene. Various types of nonionic surfactants were tested to determine their ability to enhance the availability of phenanthrene to microorganisms in soil systems. Nonionic surfactants were selected as they are known to have greater hydrocarbon solubilizing power, less toxicity to microbial populations and low foaming property. Surfactants were tested to measure their effectiveness for increasing solubility of phenanthrene, their sorption on the soil matrix, their biodegradability and also their effect on the sorption and biodegradation of phenanthrene. Batch and column studies were carried out for the biodegradation experiments. Batch isotherm experiments were conducted to characterize the sorption of surfactants and phenanthrene. Solubility enhancement of phenanthrene by the selected surfactants was mainly a micellar phenomena. Sorption of phenanthrene and the surfactants could be represented by the linear isotherm model. Sorption of phenanthrene was enhanced in the presence of surfactants. Batch and column biodegradation studies indicate that biodegradation of phenanthrene was enhanced in the presence of the surfactants. None of the surfactants were biodegraded during the timecourse of these experiments. This study indicates that surfactant selection for in-situ bioremediation of insoluble hydrocarbons will depend on a large number of factors with main emphasis on the hydrocarbon solubilizing power, low toxicity to Zn bacteria and the environment and low sorptive properties.
- OSTI ID:
- 416882
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951023--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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