Premium
Distribution of Nonionic Surfactant in Soil Columns Following Application and Leaching
Author(s) -
Miller W. W.,
Letey J.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1975.03615995003900010009x
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , pulmonary surfactant , soil water , leaching model , penetration (warfare) , soil science , water repellent , chemistry , environmental science , lessivage , environmental chemistry , materials science , soil salinity , mathematics , composite material , biochemistry , operations research
The distribution of 14 C‐tagged surfactant (Soil Penetrant) was observed in soil columns following application of various concentrations and leaching under unsaturated flow on wettable (Pachappa) and water‐repellent (Morris Dam) soils. The maximum depth of surfactant penetration for a given leaching period was greater for Pachappa than for Morris Dam. Following leaching there was a more uniform distribution of surfactant throughout the column of Pachappa soil. Water drop penetration time (WDPT) experiments showed good correlation between experimental distribution as determined by 14 C tracing and actual reduction of water repellency to a given depth. Consequently, the movement and distribution characteristics of a non‐ 14 C‐tagged surfactant (Aqua Gro) on the Morris Dam soil following application and leaching was qualitatively examined by the WDPT method. A theoretical model was tested for its ability to qualitatively predict experimental Soil Penetrant distributions. There was reasonable agreement between experimental and calculated distributions. Specific adsorptive characteristics at low equilibrium concentrations were found to be very important to surfactant distribution in a given soil.