Remediation of oil-polluted soil using anionic and non-ionic composite biosurfactants

Abstract

ABSTRACT Petroleum hydrocarbons as pervasive pollutants pose a significant threat to soil ecology and human health. Surfactant washing as an established technique can effectively remediate soils contaminated by hydrocarbons. Biosurfactants, which combine the properties of surfactants and environmental compatibility, have attracted increasing interest. However, due to the high production cost of biosurfactants, their practical application is restricted. This study addressed these limitations by selecting two biosurfactants, β-cyclodextrin (C1) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (C2), and developed a promising cleaning agent formula through compounding and the addition of suitable additives. When the volume ratio of C1 to C2 was 8:2 and an 8 g/L mixture of sodium humate and sodium carbonate electrolyte was added, the surfactant system’s surface tension reached a minimum, yielding optimal oil removal. The formation and synergistic behaviour of mixed micelles of surfactants were explained using ideal solution theory and the Rubingh model. By optimising the oil washing process parameters – normal temperature of 25 °C, pH 11, washing time of 2 h, solid–liquid ratio of 1:5, and oscillation frequency of 200 r/min – the oil removal rate achieved 76%. This cleaning agent, characterised by low production cost, straightforward application, environmental compatibility, and rapid, significant cleaning effect, shows potential for field-scale purification of petroleum-contaminated soil.