Abstract
This work investigated whether polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) removal from a highly contaminated soil (7000-p.p.m.) could be enhanced by manipulating the carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus (C/N/P) ratio, and by nonionic surfactant addition. A Box-Behnken statistical experimental design was used to evaluate the combined effect of surfactant type, surfactant concentration, and C/N/P ratio in a relatively short treatment period (35 days). The variable with the greatest effect on PCB degradation was the type of surfactant used. Higher PCB removal efficiencies (39-60%) were obtained with Tween 80 (compared to Tergitol NP 10 and Triton X-100). This was attributed to its lower critical micelle concentration. Higher C/N/P ratios (increased by biphenyl addition) significantly stimulated the soil heterotrophic activity without enhancing PCB removal. This suggests that nonionic surfactants have a greater potential to enhance bioremediation of PCB-contaminated soil than efforts to enhance the soil heterotrophic activity through nutrient and analogue substrate addition.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 319-324 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Box-Behnken
- Carbon dioxide
- Contaminated soil
- PCB
- Tergitol
- Triton
- Tween