Surfactant solubilization and subsequent bioavailability of phenanthrene

Authors

Debbie-Ann Bramwell, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Shonali Laha

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Berrin Tansel

Third Advisor's Name

Laurie Richardson

Fourth Advisor's Name

Nii Attoh-Okine

Date of Defense

11-14-1997

Abstract

Contamination of soil, sediment and groundwater by hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) is a matter of growing concern because groundwater is a valuable and limited resource, and because such contamination is difficult to address. This investigation involved an experimental evaluation of the addition of several surfactant solutions to aqueous and soil-water systems contaminated with phenanthrene, a selected HOC. The results are presented in terms of:

* phenanthrene solubilization achieved through surfactant addition

* observed effects of surfactant addition on the mineralization of phenanthrene

* estimation of relative toxicities of various surfactants using toxicity assays

* literature-reported biodegradability/persistence of selected surfactants

* surfactant sorption/precipitation onto soil and its impacts on proposed use of surfactant-amended remediation

Surfactants were observed to facilitate the transfer of phenanthrene from the soil-sorbed phase to the aqueous pseudophase, however, surfactant solubilization did not translate into enhanced phenanthrene biodegradation.

Identifier

FI14051823

Recommended Citation

Bramwell, Debbie-Ann, "Surfactant solubilization and subsequent bioavailability of phenanthrene" (1997). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1787.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1787