Synthetic and Natural Surfactants for Potential Application in Mobilization of Organic Contaminants: Characterization and Batch Study

In this paper, we investigated the abilities of five sugar-based synthetic surfactants and biosurfactants from three different families (i.e., alkyl polyglycoside (APG), sophorolipid (SL), rhamnolipid (RL)) to dissolve mobilize non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) components, i.e., toluene perchloroethylene (PCE), adsorbed on porous matrices. The objective study was establish a benchmark for selection suitable flushing aquifer remediation technique. involved physicochemical characterization determine critical micelle concentration (CMCs) interfacial properties. Subsequently, batch study, through construction adsorption isotherms, made it possible evaluate surfactants’ capacities in contaminant mobilization via reduction their adsorptions onto reference adsorbent material, pine wood biochar (PWB). results indicate that surfactant APG family with long fatty acid chain di-rhamnolipid biosurfactant shorter hydrophobic group offered highest efficiency values; they reduced water surface tension by up 54.7% 52%, respectively. These two had very low concentrations (CMCs), 0.0071 wt% 0.0173 wt%, respectively; is an economical point view. experiments showed these surfactants, at just times CMCs, were able reduce PWB 74% 65%, PCE RL 65% 86%, general, clearly suggest possibility using surfactant-enhanced technology.