Abstract
Abstract The utility of the Synperonic PE range of block copolymeric nonionic surfactants in the decontamination of soil is systematically investigated. In the case of the solubilization of naphthalene in the absence of soil by the six Synperonic PE surfactants studied, the molar solubilization ratio (MSR), which is a measure of the solubilizing power of surfactants in their aggregated (i.e. micellar) form, broadly increases with an increase in the weight percentage content of the hydrophobic polypropylene oxide portion of the surfactant. Significantly, solubility enhancements are substantial even below the tensiometrically determined critical micelle concentration. The sorption of a number of these surfactants onto a soil of organic carbon content 0.6% is shown to be described by Freundlich isotherms, and is significant, adding considerably to the organic content of the soil. However, the surfactants substantially reduce the soil-water partition coefficient of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene, indicating that they may potentially find applications in soil decontamination.
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