Influence of Surfactants on Degradation of 1‐(2‐Chlorobenzoyl)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl) Urea by Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) has been proved to be effective in the degradation of environmental pollutants and exhibits advantages in the removal of 1‐(2‐chlorobenzoyl)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl) urea (CCU), an analog of diflubenzuron. This present study focused on the influence of surfactants in the degradation procedure with NZVI in order to provide a simple and rapid removal method for CCU. Triton X‐100, Tween 20, Tween 80, sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were investigated under anaerobic conditions. The experimental results demonstrated that the degradation rate increased sharply with the presence of SD during the first 15 min, up to 99.97% with addition of 0.01 g L^?1 SDS, whereas the presence of Triton X‐100, Tween 80, and Tween 20 resulted in a slight enhancement of the degradation of CCU. The enhancement strength of them was in the order Tween 20, Triton X‐100, and Tween 80. However, addition of the cationic surfactant CTAB resulted in a significant inhibitive effect. In contrast, the mixed surfactants did not result in the expected performance, and the performance was lower than that using some certain single surfactant among the mixed surfactants.     

A Cloud Point Extraction Approach Developed for Analyzing Pesticides Prometryne and Isoproturon from Multi‐media

A new analytic methodology based on the cloud point extraction coupled with HPLC (CPE‐HPLC) was developed and successfully applied to determination of the pesticides isoproturon (IPU) and prometryne (PRO) from multi‐media (contaminated water, soil, and food vegetable). Several non‐ionic surfactants including poly ethylene glycol 6000 (PEG‐6000), TritonX‐114, and Triton X‐100 were comparatively analyzed as extraction solvents. Other parameters such as surfactant concentration, ionic strength, and equilibration temperature, and duration were also investigated. The optimal conditions for CPE were presented with 2.4% w/v PEG‐6000, 11% w/v Na₂SO₄ and heating assistance at 50°C for 25 min. The calibration curves for the two analytes were linear ranging from 0.001 to 10.0 mg L^?1, with correlation coefficients being 0.99 determined by a HPLC–UV detector. Under the condition, the average recoveries were 85.4–90.6% for water, 84.4–92.7% for soil, and 84.4–92.1% for vegetable. Thus, the method presented here was proved to be rapid, efficient, and green for extraction and determination of isoproturon and prometryne residues from food and multi‐environmental media.     

Bioremediation of Phenanthrene by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 Isolated from Contaminated Soil

The effect of nutrient and surfactant addition on the biodegradation of phenanthrene was studied in a batch scale soil–slurry system using isolated Mycoplana sp. MVMB2strain. The study was conducted using an artificially phenanthrene spiked and as well as contaminated soil from petrochemical industrial site. Maximum phenanthrene degradation and subsequent high microbial growth were observed at optimum pH (pH 6) and C/N/P ratio (100:20:3). To investigate maximum substrate degradation potential of Mycoplana sp. MVMB2, very high concentrations of phenanthrene (50–200 mg/kg soil) were used. The organism was capable of degrading >60% for a concentration below 20 mg/kg soil and >40% for concentrations up to 200 mg/kg within 8 days. Further the influence of five different surfactants namely Span 80, Tween 20, Triton X‐100, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and sodium dodecyl sulfate were tested at their critical micelle concentration (CMC) levels for phenanthrene degradation in the soil. The addition of surfactant enhanced the biodegradation and a maximum of 84.49% was obtained for Triton X‐100. Complete phenanthrene degradation by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 was observed at 3 CMC concentration of Triton X‐100. The optimized parameters obtained were used for the degradation of phenanthrene present in the contaminated soil and 98.6% biodegradation was obtained. Thus, the results obtained in the study suggested that biodegradation of phenanthrene by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 appeared to be feasible to remediate phenanthrene rich contaminated sites.     

Naphthalene Degradation Kinetics of Micrococcus sp., Isolated from Activated Sludge

Biodegradation of naphthalene by Micrococcus sp., isolated from the effluent of an activated sludge plant, was studied. The effects of pH (5–8), glucose concentration (100–1000 mg/L) and inoculum concentrations (1–5%) on the growth and naphthalene degradation potential of Micrococcus sp. were investigated. Maximum naphthalene degradation and subsequent high microbial growth were observed at optimum pH (pH 7), glucose concentration (500 mg/L) and inoculum concentration (3%). To investigate the maximum naphthalene tolerance potential of Micrococcus sp., very high concentrations of naphthalene (500–5000 mg/L) were used in the presence of non‐ionic surfactants. The examined surfactants (Triton X‐100 and Tween‐80) increased the bioavailability of naphthalene to the microbes and Complete naphthalene degradation by Micrococcus sp. was observed at an initial naphthalene concentration of 500 mg/L. However, the degradation potential decreases as the naphthalene concentration increases. Very high naphthalene concentrations also affected the growth of microbes and the corresponding substrate inhibition kinetics was described using four models (Haldane, Webb, Edward and Aiba). Based on correlation coefficient and percentage error values, all four substrate kinetic models were able to describe the dynamic behavior of naphthalene biodegradation by Micrococcus sp.     

Surfactant‐Enhanced Electroosmotic Flushing in a Trichlorobenzene Contaminated Clayey Soil

Remediation of the sites contaminated with organic contaminants, such as chlorobenzenes, remains a challenging issue. Electroosmotic flushing can be a promising approach which is based on mechanism of electrokinetic remediation for removal of organic contaminants from fluids in low‐permeability soil. To select an optimum surfactant that can effectively enhance electroosmotic flushing, three common surfactants, Triton X‐100 (EK2), Tween 80 (EK3), and a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X‐100 (EK4) buffered with Na₂HPO₄/NaH₂PO₄ solution, were tested. The efficiency of each kind of surfactant was evaluated using a three‐dimensional box filled with a clayey soil spiked with 1,2,4‐trichlorobenzene, and compared with a test (EK1) without surfactant. The results demonstrated that the buffer solutions efficiently neutralized H⁺ and OH^? produced by electrolysis. EK3 with Tween 80 added in the flushing solution reached the highest electroosmotic permeability of 10^?4 cm²/v/s and achieved a notably high cumulative electroosmotic flow (EOF) of 5067 mL within 6 d, which was 6.3, 3.4, and 4.2 times higher than that in EK1, EK2, and EK4, respectively. There were 420 mL more cumulative EOF obtained after 50 h of electrical application in EK4 than in EK2. The introduction of nonreactive ions can increase the current, thereby benefiting the EOF. Both the higher pH caused by the buffer and the application of nonionic surfactants can make the zeta potential more negative, thereby increasing the EOF. Tween 80 can be recommended as the best flushing solution for removing organic contaminants from sites when electrokinetic remediation is applied.     

Toxicity comparison of biosurfactants and synthetic surfactants used in oil spill remediation to two estuarine species

The relative environmental toxicities of synthetic and biogenic surfactants used in oil spill remediation efforts are not well understood. Acute and chronic toxicities of three synthetic surfactants and three microbiologically produced surfactants were determined and compared in this study for the estuarine epibenthic invertebrate, Mysidopsis bahia and the inland silverside, Menidia beryllina. The toxicities of the surfactant were determined in standard laboratory static and static-renewal tests of 4-7 d duration. Results were specific to the surfactant, response parameter and test species. The LC50 values (nominal concentrations) for M. bahia ranged from 3.3 mg/l (Triton X-100) to >1000 mg/l (PES-61) and 2.5 mg/l (Triton X-100) to 413.6 mg/l (PES-61) for M. beryllina. Chronic first-effect concentrations (mg/l) for the six surfactants ranged from 2.3 to 465.0 (M. beryllina) and 1.0 to >1000.0 (M. bahia) based on reductions in growth and fecundity. Few generalizations could be made concerning the results due to their variability but M. bahia was generally the more sensitive species and the toxicities of the biosurfactants were intermediate to those of the synthetic surfactants.     

Activation of Persulfate by Surfactants under Acidic and Basic Conditions

Activated persulfate is a commonly used oxidant source used for in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) for remediation of subsurface contamination. Surfactants are sometimes used in ISCO to desorb contaminants and dissolve nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). The potential activation of persulfate by such surfactants was investigated, and the reactive oxygen species generated by persulfate in the presence of anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactants were determined. Twenty surfactants were screened; most activated persulfate to generate reductants + nucleophiles at acidic and basic pH. The most reactive anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactants (Lankropol 4500, polyethylene glycol 400, and Ethoduomeen T/25) were investigated in more detail. All three surfactants activated persulfate; however, the cationic surfactant showed the most potential for persulfate activation with high fluxes of hydroxyl radical and reductants + nucleophiles. The results of this research demonstrate that surfactants added to ISCO systems often activate persulfate to generate reductants at both acidic and basic pH, and hydroxyl radical at basic pH. These findings provide a new paradigm for persulfate activation in surfactant in situ chemical oxidation (SISCO) systems; pH regimes >11 may not be necessary for persulfate activation resulting in cost savings and potentially more effective activation of persulfate.     

Cloud Point Extraction for the Preconcentration of Silver and Palladium in Real Samples and Determination by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A cloud point extraction procedure is presented for the preconcentration and simultaneous determination of Ag⁺ and Pd²⁺ in various samples. After complexation with 2‐((2‐((1H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐2‐yl)methoxy)phenoxy)methyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol (BIMPI), which was used as a new chelating agent, analyte ions were quantitatively extracted to a phase rich in Triton X‐114 following centrifugation, and determination was carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Under the optimum experimental conditions (i. e., pH = 7.0, 15.0·10^–5 mol/L BIMPI and 0.036% (w/v) Triton X‐114), calibration graphs were linear in the range of 28.0–430.0 μg/L and 57.0–720.0 μg/L with detection limits of 10.0 and 25.0 μg/L for Ag⁺ and Pd²⁺, respectively. The enrichment factors were 35.0 and 28.0 for Ag⁺ and Pd²⁺, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to evaluate these metals in some real samples, including waste water, soil and hydrogenation catalyst samples.     

Removal of Organic Dyes in Environmental Water onto Magnetic‐Sulfonic Graphene Nanocomposite

A magnetic‐sulfonic graphene nanocomposite (G‐SO₃H/Fe₃O₄) was synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. It was used for removal of three cationic dyes: safranine T (ST), neutral red (NR), victoria blue (VB), and three anionic dyes: methyl orange, brilliant yellow, and alizarin red, from environmental water. The experimental conditions were optimized, including pH, amount of adsorbent, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, ionic strength, etc. The results show that G‐SO₃H/Fe₃O₄ can adsorb cationic dyes more efficiently and selectively than anionic dyes at pH 6.0. In the first 10 min of adsorption time, more than 93% of the cationic dyes were removed by the sorbent. Adsorption kinetics follow the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model well. The adsorption isotherm coincided with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The maximum adsorption capacities of G‐SO₃H/Fe₃O₄ for ST, NR, and VB dyes were 199.3, 216.8, and 200.6 mg g^?1. The adsorbed cationic dyes were eluted by using different pH values of ethanol as the solvent. The established method was simple, sensitive, and rapid, and was suitable for the adsorption of cationic dyes in environmental water.     

Surfactant effects on the water‐stable aggregation of wettable soils from the continental USA

Surfactants may affect soil structure differently depending upon the soil or the quality of rainfall or irrigation water. This study examined whether the water‐stable aggregation of 11 wettable soils was affected by surfactants and the water in which the soils were sieved. The study also examined whether the wettable soils' water drop penetration time (WDPT) was affected by surfactants, water drop quality, and elapsed time since the surfactants were applied. Two nonionic surfactants and a surfactant‐free water control were sprayed (by misting) upon air‐dry soil, then WDPT was measured 1 and 72 h thereafter. Subsequently, this treated soil was slowly wetted with an aerosol to its water content at a matric potential of ?3 kPa, then immediately sieved for 600 s in water that contained either appreciable or few electrolytes. Water‐stable aggregation, quantified as mean weight diameter (MWD), varied widely among soils, ranging from 0.10 to 1.36 mm. The MWDs were affected (at p = 0.06) by surfactant treatments, depending upon the soil but not sieving water quality. Surfactants affected the MWD of an Adkins loamy sand and Feltham sand, two of the three coarsest‐textured soils. Although WDPTs never exceeded 5 s, depending upon the soil WDPTs were affected by surfactant treatments but not by water drop quality. After surfactant application, WDPTs generally decreased with time for three soils but increased with time for one soil. Findings suggested that surfactants interacted (1) with clay mineralogy to affect MWD and (2) with soluble calcium to affect WDPT for certain soils. Surfactant treatments but not water quality affected both MWD and WDPT for some but not all of 11 wettable, US soils. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Evaluating a nonionic surfactant as a tool to improve water availability in irrigated cotton

Nonionic surfactants have been well researched in turf grass environments as a tool to ameliorate water‐repellant conditions. However, few studies have evaluated the risks and benefits of nonionic surfactant applications in row‐crop agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nonionic surfactant on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production on a Faceville loamy sand (fine, kaolinitic thermic Typic Kandiudult) in the coastal plain region of Georgia. The experiment consisted of two components: (1) on‐site rainfall simulation and (2) agronomic cotton field trials. Treatments were designed to test the impact of rate and frequency of surfactant applications using six combinations of application rates and timings. For the rainfall simulation component, only the control (0·0 L ha^?1) and high rate (0·51 L ha^?1) of surfactant applications were evaluated. During the field trial, soil water content, cotton stand counts, and yield were measured. Rainfall simulations showed that the addition of surfactant increased runoff, decreased infiltration, and promoted surface sealing. Despite the demonstrated potential for water loss, agronomic field trials showed that crop yields were not significantly different between surfactant‐treated and untreated plots. No differences in soil water content were observed between treatments at 5 and 15 cm depths; however, soil water content was significantly higher in untreated control plots at the 30 cm depth. Data demonstrate the need for clarification of soil physical/chemical properties and surfactant interactions that may lend themselves to the creation of surface seals and how these seals impact soil/water conservation and crop yield. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surfactant and irrigation effects on wettable soils: runoff,erosion, and water retention responses

Surfactants are chemical compounds that can change the contact angle of a water drop on solid surfaces and are commonly used to increase infiltration into water repellent soil. Since production fields with water repellent soil often contain areas of wettable soil, surfactants applied to such fields worldwide will likely be applied to wettable soil, with unknown consequences for irrigation‐induced erosion, runoff, or soil water relations. We evaluated surfactant and simulated sprinkler irrigation effects on these responses for three wettable, Pacific Northwest soils, Latahco and Rad silt loams, and Quincy sand. Along with an untreated control, we studied three surfactants: an alkyl polyglycoside (APG) in solution at a concentration of 18 g active ingredient (AI) kg^?1, a block copolymer at 26 g kg^?1, and a blend of the two at 43 g kg^?1. From 2005 to 2009 in the laboratory, each surfactant was sprayed at a rate of 46·8 l ha^?1 onto each soil packed by tamping into 1·2‐ by 1·5‐m steel boxes. Thereafter, each treated soil was irrigated twice at 88 mm h^?1 with surfactant‐free well water. After each irrigation, runoff and sediment loss were measured and soil samples were collected. While measured properties differed among soils and irrigations, surfactants had no effect on runoff, sediment loss, splash loss, or tension infiltration, compared to the control. Across all soils, however, the APG increased volumetric water contents by about 3% (significant at p≤0·08) at matric potentials from 0 to ? 20 kPa compared to the control. With a decrease in the liquid–solid contact angle on treated soil surfaces, surfactant‐free water appeared able to enter, and be retained in pores with diameters ≥ 15 µm. All told, surfactants applied at economic rates to these wettable Pacific Northwest soils posed little risk of increasing either runoff or erosion or harming soil water relations. Moreover, by increasing water retention at high potentials, surfactants applied to wettable soils may allow water containing pesticides or other agricultural chemicals to better penetrate soil pores, thereby increasing the efficacy of the co‐applied materials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of groundwater recharge estimation methods in a semi‐arid,coastal avocado and citrus orchard (Ventura County,California)

We assess the relative merits of application of the most commonly used field methods (soil‐water balance (SWB), chloride mass balance (CMB) and soil moisture monitoring (NP)) to determine recharge rates in micro‐irrigated and non‐irrigated areas of a semi‐arid coastal orchard located in a relatively complex geological environment. Application of the CMB method to estimate recharge rates was difficult owing to the unusually high, variable soil‐water chloride concentrations. In addition, contrary to that expected, the chloride concentration distribution at depths below the root zone in the non‐irrigated soil profiles was greater than that in the irrigated profiles. The CMB method severely underestimated recharge rates in the non‐irrigated areas when compared with the other methods, although the CMB method estimated recharge rates for the irrigated areas, that were similar to those from the other methods, ranging from 42 to 141 mm/year. The SWB method, constructed for a 15‐year period, provided insight into the recharge process being driven by winter rains rather than summer irrigation and indicated an average rate of 75 mm/year and 164 mm/year for the 1984 – 98 and 1996 – 98 periods, respectively. Assuming similar soil‐water holding capacity, these recharge rates applied to both irrigated and non‐irrigated areas. Use of the long period of record was important because it encompassed both drought and heavy rainfall years. Successful application of the SWB method, however, required considerable additional field measurements of orchard ET_c, soil‐water holding capacity and estimation of rainfall interception – runoff losses. Continuous soil moisture monitoring (NP) was necessary to identify both daily and seasonal seepage processes to corroborate the other recharge estimates. Measured recharge rates during the 1996 – 1998 period in both the orchards and non‐irrigated site averaged 180 mm/year. The pattern of soil profile drying during the summer irrigation season, followed by progressive wetting during the winter rainy season was observed in both irrigated and non‐irrigated soil profiles, confirming that groundwater recharge was rainfall driven and that micro‐irrigation did not ‘predispose’ the soil profile to excess rainfall recharge. The ability to make this recharge assessment, however, depended on making multiple field measurements associated with all three methods, suggesting that any one should not be used alone. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of water quality on infiltration,runoff and interrill erosion processes during simulated rainfall

This paper discusses the effects of water quality on the hydrological and erosion response of non‐saline, non‐sodic soils during simulated rain experiments. It is well known that rain water quality affects the behaviour of saline soils. In particular, rain simulation experiments cannot be run using tap water if realistic values of infiltration rates and soil erosion are to be found. This paper reports on similar effects for non‐saline, non‐sodic soils. Two soils – a well‐aggregated clay‐rich soil developed on marine silty clay deposits and a soil developed on silt loam – were selected and subjected to a series of simulated rainstorms using demineralized water and tap water. The experiments were conducted in two different laboratories in order to obtain results independent of the tap water quality or the rainfall simulator characteristics. The results indicate that time‐to‐ponding is largely delayed by solute‐rich water (tap water). When tap water is used, infiltration rates are significantly overestimated, i.e. by more than 100 per cent. Interrill erosion rates increase by a factor of 2·5–3 when demineralized water is used. The silty clay soil was more affected by the water quality than the silt loam soil, with respect to infiltration and runoff production. Regarding interrill erosion rates, the two tested soils were similarly affected by the water quality. Therefore, it can be concluded that rainfall simulation experiments with non‐dispersive soils (e.g. non‐saline, non‐sodic) must also be conducted using water with very low electrical conductivity (i.e. less than 30–50 µS cm⁻¹), close to that of distilled water. The use of tap water certainly hampers comparisons and the relative ranking of the hydrological and erosion response of different soils, while parameter values, such as final infiltration rate or time‐to‐ponding, cannot be extrapolated and extended to natural situations. Therefore, the majority of hydrological and erosion models and parameter values measured during rainfall simulations in the past should be used with caution for all types of soils. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of Bioavailability and Partitioning of Aluminum in Sediment Samples of Different Ecosystems by Modified Sequential Extraction Methods

Sequential extraction procedures are widely used to characterize the different operational fractions with different potential toxicity of metals in environmental solid samples. The present work describes the application of different analytical approaches for sequential extraction of aluminum to evaluate its mobility, availability, and persistent chemical forms in sediment samples of different fresh water ecosystems (lake, canal, and river). The conventional BCR three‐stage sequential extraction procedure (C‐BCR) was modified at each stage, by applying ultrasonic device (U‐BCR), in order to shorten the required shaking time of 16 h for each three steps (excluding the hydrogen peroxide digestion in step 3, which was not performed with ultrasonic bath), could be completed in 40, 50, and 45 min, respectively. The aluminum in all extracts were determination by atomic absorption spectrometry using nitrous oxide – acetylene flame. The accuracy of results obtained from C‐BCR and proposed U‐BCR was verified with literature reported values of certified sediment sample (BCR 701). The overall recoveries of aluminum obtained by proposed U‐BCR were found in the range of 96.7–113% of those values obtained with C‐BCR for all fractions. Use of ultrasonic device, provided a large saving in extraction time relative to conventional shaking. It was observed that major part of Al in real sediment samples (80–83% of total Al) were bound to residual fraction. The acid soluble fraction of aluminum extracted by 0.11 mol/L CH₃COOH has good correlation with aluminum content in corresponding water samples of each ecosystem.     

Treatment of Refractory Organics Contained in Actual Agro‐Industrial Wastewaters by UV/H2O2

In this work, the treatment of actual agro‐industrial wastewaters (IWW) by a UV/H₂O₂ process has been investigated. The aqueous wastes were received from industrial olive oil mills and then treated by laboratory scale physicochemical methods, i. e., coagulation using ferrous and aluminum sulfate, decantation, filtration and adsorption on activated carbon. These wastes are brown colored effluents and have a residual chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the range of 1800 to 3500 mgO₂ L^–1, which cannot be further eliminated with physicochemical processes. The UV/H₂O₂ treatments were carried out under monochromatic irradiation at 254 nm using a thermostated reactor equipped with a mercury vapor lamp located in an axial position. The effects of initial H₂O₂ concentration, initial COD, pH and temperature have been studied in order to determine the optimum conditions for maximum color and COD removals. The experimental results reveal the suitability of the UV/H₂O₂ process for both removal of high levels of COD and effectively decolorizing the solution. In particular, 95% of color removal and 90% of COD removal were obtained under conditions of pH = 5 and 32°C using 2.75 g H₂O₂ g^–1 COD L^–1 during 6 h of UV‐irradiation. The treatment is unaffected by pH over the range 2 to 9. In addition, the COD removal is improved by increasing the temperature, whereas the color removal has not been affected by this parameter. The results show that the hydroxyl radicals generated from the catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ by UV‐irradiation of the solution could be successfully used to mineralize the organics contained in IWW. The mineralization of the organics seems to occur in three main sequential steps: the first is the rapid decomposition of tannins leading to aromatic compounds, which are confirmed by the decolorization of the IWW; the second step corresponds to the oxidation of aromatics leading to aliphatic intermediates, which occurs by the cleavage of an aromatic ring, and is established by the removal of aromatics, and the final step is the slow oxidation of the aliphatic intermediates, which is measured by the COD removal.     

Effect of Co‐culture and Nutrients Supplementation on Bioremediation of Crude Petroleum Sludge

Ex‐situ bioremediation of real‐field crude petroleum sludge was evaluated to elucidate the role of co‐culture (bioaugmentation) and external nutrients supplementation (biostimulation) under anaerobic microenvironment. Maximum removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was observed by integrating biostimulation with bioaugmentation (R5, 44.01%) followed by bioaugmentation alone (R4, 34.47%), co‐substrate supplemented operations [R6, 23.36%; R3, 16.5%; R2, 9.88%] and control (R1, 4.36%). Aromatics fraction showed higher degradation in all the conditions studied. Fate of six selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated during bioremediation. Among these, four ring PAHs compounds showed good degradation by integration of biostimulation with bioaugmentation (R5) while bioaugmentation alone (R4) documented good degradation of three ring PAHs. Lower ring PAHs compounds showed good degradation with the application of biostimulation (R6). Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) detected the presence of known PAHs degrading microorganisms viz., Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acido bacteria, Sulphur reducing bacteria Firmicutes, etc. Application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation strategies alone or in combinations documented noticeable influence on the degradation of petroleum sludge.     

Degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red X‐3B Dye by Microwave Electrodeless UV Irradiation

Degradations of reactive brilliant red X‐3B solution by both conventional UV irradiation and microwave electrodeless UV irradiation were investigated. Degradation processes were studied by UV–VIS spectrophotometry, total organic carbon (TOC), high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), conductivity, pH value, and ion chromatography. The results of color removal (%) and TOC removal (%) showed that the degradation by microwave electrodeless UV irradiation was more effective than by conventional UV irradiation. The results of UV–VIS absorption spectra and HPCE analyses indicated that the degradation of reactive brilliant red X‐3B was occurred at the conjugation system first, the benzene ring and the naphthalene ring later. The reactive brilliant red X‐3B was cleaved into some new small compounds and eventually most of the organic substances were mineralized to CO₂ and H₂O. The results of the conductivity analysis suggested that the degradation has mainly occurred in the first 40 min of reaction. The pH value of reactive brilliant red X‐3B solution was decreased first and then was increased. The results of inorganic anions analysis hinted that many of the N, Cl, and S elements from reactive brilliant red X‐3B were still attached in organic molecules.     

Removal of As,Cd, Cu,Ni, Pb,and Zn from a highly contaminated industrial soil using surfactant enhanced soil washing

Surfactant enhanced soil washing (SESW) was applied to an industrial contaminated soil. A preliminary characterization of the soil regarding the alkaline-earth metals, Na, K, Ca and Mg took values of 2866, 2036, 2783 and 4149 mg/kg. The heavy metals As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, had values of 4019, 14, 35582, 70, 2603, and 261 mg/kg, respectively. When using different surfactants, high removal of Cu, Ni and Zn were found, and medium removals for Pb, As and Cd. In the case of these three metals, tap water removed more than the surfactant solutions, except for the case of As.There were surfactants with average removals (this is, the removal for all the metals studied) of 67.1% (Tween 80), 64.9% (Surfacpol 14104) and 61.2% (Emulgin W600). There were exceptional removals using Texapon N-40 (83.2%, 82.8% and 86.6% for Cu, Ni and Zn), Tween 80 (85.9, 85.4 and 81.5 for Cd, Zn and Cu), Polafix CAPB (79%, 83.2% and 49.7% for Ni, Zn and As). The worst results were obtained with POLAFIX LO with a global removal of 45%, well below of the average removal with tap water (50.2%).All removal efficiencies are reported for a one step washing using 0.5% surfactant solutions, except for the case of mezquite gum, where a 0.1% solution was employed.     

Removal of Cationic Dye from Aqueous Solution by a Macroporous Hydrophobically Modified Poly(acrylic Acid‐acrylamide) Hydrogel with Enhanced Swelling and Adsorption Properties

A macroporous, hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic acid‐acrylamide) hydrogel was prepared. The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) results showed that the hydrogel had a macroporous structure. The dynamic swelling and removal of cationic dyes, crystal violet (CV) and basic magenta (BM), by this macroporous hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic acid‐acrylamide) hydrogel were studied. The adsorption capacity and kinetic and isotherm studies of the cationic dyes into the hydrogels have been evaluated. It was found that the macroporous hydrophobically modified hydrogel (M) exhibited improved swelling and adsorption capacity compared with the non‐macroporous hydrophobically modified hydrogel (NM). The adsorption process agreed very well with the Langmuir model and the adsorption of the cationic dyes depended on the pH of the solution via a mechanism combining swelling, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, adsorption kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, indicating that chemical adsorption was the rate‐limiting step.