Status Investigators have completed additional experiments on the relationship among surfactant solubilization of phenanthrene, aqueous phase surface tension, and phenanthrene degradation. We have now moved to experiments on the degradation of phenanthrene during transport conditions in the presence and absence of surfactants and hexadecane. Future research plans include continued column experiments and the study of aging effects as they relate to the effectiveness of surfactants in enhancing degradation and transport of phenanthrene. Data from column experiments will be used for testing transport models in which biodegradation kinetics are coupled to the advective dispersion equation. We also plan to study the effects of pore-water velocity on the degradation rates of surfactants and organic contaminants during transport conditions to better understand the potential use of surfactants in transport applications.
Investigators also plan to publish three manuscripts.
This project is in its third year. This research will be of interest to members of industry and to the U.S. Department of Defense. Keywords Surfactants, bioavailability, biodegradation, nonpolar organic compounds. All Rights Reserved.