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Degradation of a Nonionic Surfactant in Soils and Peat
Author(s) -
Valoras N.,
Letey J.,
Martin J. P.,
Osborn J.
Publication year - 1976
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/sssaj1976.03615995004000010019x
Subject(s) - soil water , degradation (telecommunications) , pulmonary surfactant , environmental chemistry , chemistry , moisture , water content , peat , organic matter , environmental science , soil science , organic chemistry , ecology , geology , geotechnical engineering , telecommunications , biochemistry , computer science , biology
Nonionic surfactants are used to improve water movement into water‐repellent soils. The effective longevity of treatment and potential water pollution are affected by surfactant degradation. Degradation of 14 C‐labeled Soil Penetrant 3685, a nonionic surfactant, was measured in incubation studies in the laboratory. Three soils and one peat, numerous surfactant concentrations, and two soil‐moisture levels were used as experimental variables. Plots of degradation percentage versus time produced “S” type curves. Increasing the concentration increased the lag period prior to most rapid degradation. The most rapid and highest percentage of degradation were generally associated with soil materials having the lowest adsorptive capacity for the surfacant. From about 75 to 85% of the added 14 C was evolved as 14 CO 2 in 1 year for the most favorable conditions for degradation. Degradation rate was decreased by decreasing the soil‐moisture content. Degradation of soil organic matter was not greatly affected by surfactant applications—< about 10,000 ppm, but progressively decreased with higher surfactant concentrations.