Lv, C., J. Chen, and X. Wang.
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 14(3):631-638(2017)

A study was conducted to select the appropriate surfactant for remediation of DDT-contaminated soil using an in situ foam-flushing technique. Performance of the nonionic surfactants polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether, polysorbate, and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether was investigated, as well as the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, with respect to foam static characteristics, DDT solubility enhancement, adsorption loss onto soil, and DDT desorption from contaminated soil during foam flushing. Polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether delivered better foamability and stability, relatively high DDT solubilization, and the highest contaminant desorption efficacy from soil via foam flushing. The desorption efficiency of DDT by the different surfactants was largely influenced by foam static characteristics and solubility enhancement of DDT rather than adsorption loss onto soil, which indicated that foam static characteristics and surfactant solubilization are key criteria for selection of high-performance foam surfactant. See previous work on this project at http://or.nsfc.gov.cn/bitstream/00001903-5/511450/1/991608711.pdf and http://or.nsfc.gov.cn/bitstream/00001903-5/250701/1/1000014290295.PDF.