Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of nonionic surfactants
- RIVM/National Inst. for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven (Netherlands)
- Agricultural Univ. Wageningen (Netherlands)
The effect of the nonionic surfactants Triton X-100 and Tergitol NPX on the biodegradation of crystalline and sorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated. The presence of surfactants in high concentrations increased the apparent solubility and the maximum dissolution rate of crystalline naphthalene and phenanthrene. Biodegradation of these PAHs in the dissolution-limited growth phase was also stimulated by surfactant addition. In desorption experiments it was found that more naphthalene was desorbed from an inert matrix in the presence of surfactants than in the absence of surfactants, but it could not be shown that the presence of surfactant resulted in increased initial desorption rates. Biodegradation of sorbed naphthalene was stimulated by the addition of surfactant. In contrast to the biodegradation of crystalline PAHs, this stimulation also occurred at low surfactant concentrations. It was concluded that in this system the bioavailability of the PAHs was enhanced by the use of surfactants.
- OSTI ID:
- 484958
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-009-8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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