Effectiveness of surfactants in the microbial degradation of oil

Lupton, F. Stephen; Marshall, K. C.

doi:10.1080/01490457909377734

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Surfactant-induced solubilization as well as product mobilization via emulsification can enhance contaminant mobility, thus greatly decreasing the pore volumes of groundwater necessary in a pump-and-treat operation. Some of these same characteristics have also led to the consideration of using surfactants when biodegradation of poorly soluble compounds (potentially unaccessible to microorganisms) is of concern (Bury 162 and Miller, 1993;Lupton and Marshall, 1979;Guerin and Jones, 1988;Laha and Luthy, 1991;Laha and Luthy, 1992;Tiehm, 1994;Rouse el at., 1994).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Evaluation of ethoxylated alkylsulfate surfactants for use in subsurface remediation

Rouse¹,

Sabatini²,

Brown³

et al. 1996

Water Environment Research

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Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of ether sulfate surfactants with degrees of ethoxylation ranging from one to four per molecule for use in subsurface remediation. It was hypothesized that ethoxylated anionic surfactants will exhibit lower losses in the subsurface due to precipitation and sorption as a function of increasing ethoxylation while maintaining high hydrocarbon solubilization potentials. Results demonstrated that no significant precipitation of surfactant and calcium occurred where the degree of ethoxylation was two or greater. Sorption assays demonstrated that these ethoxylated anionic surfactants were less prone to sorption on soil than nonethoxylated anionic and non ionic surfactants. Furthermore, enhancements in solubilization of naphthalene were evidenced with increasing degrees of ethoxylation, and micelle-water partition coefficients were comparable with those of other high-performance surfactants. Microbial degradation assays indicated that these ethoxylated anionic surfactants served readily as substrates, raising concerns relative to their use in subsurface aerobic systems. However, they could be compatible with a treatment train concluded with a biological unit process.

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mentioning

confidence: 97%

Evaluation of ethoxylated alkylsulfate surfactants for use in subsurface remediation

Rouse¹,

Sabatini²,

Brown³

et al. 1996

Water Environment Research

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“…Interestingly, in some cases exponential phase cells were negatively affected by the same surfactants. Lupton and Marshall (1978) evaluated a series of polysorbates (Tween) and found that growth on, and degradation of, a mixture of alkanes by an Acinetobacter sp. was most effectively enhanced by the surfactant with an HLB of 10.…”

Section: Effect Of Hlb Among Nonylphenol Ethoxylatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of chemical surfactants on the biodegradation of crude oil by a mixed bacterial culture

Hamme¹,

Ward²

1999

Can. J. Microbiol.

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The effects of surfactant physicochemical properties, such as the hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) and molecular structure, on the biodegradation of 2% w/v Bow River crude oil by a mixed-bacterial culture were examined. Viable counts increased 4.6-fold and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) biodegradation increased 57% in the presence of Igepal CO-630, a nonylphenol ethoxylate (HLB 13, 0.625 g/L). Only the nonylphenol ethoxylate with an HLB value of 13 substantially enhanced biodegradation. The surfactants from other chemical classes with HLB values of 13 (0.625 g/L) had no effect or were inhibitory. TPH biodegradation enhancement by Igepal CO-630 occurred at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration. When the effect of surfactant on individual oil fractions was examined, the biodegradation enhancement for the saturate and aromatic fractions was the same. In all cases, biodegradation resulted in increased resin and asphaltene concentrations. Optimal surfactant concentrations for TPH biodegradation reduced resin and asphaltene formation. Chemical surfactants have the potential to improve crude oil biodegradation in complex microbial systems, and surfactant selection should consider factors such as molecular structure, HLB, and surfactant concentration.

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“…Most studies that have examined surfactant effects on microbial HOC degradation have looked at hydrocarbon utilization by pure cultures in aqueous media. Several of these studies, using a variety of nonionic surfactants, demonstrated a positive effect on microbial growth concurrent with enhanced degradation of hydrocarbon substrate [1,2,5,[11][12][13][14][15]. Generally, no evidence of surfactant degradation was observed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonionic surfactants were utilized as they are less toxic to microorganisms than ionic surfactants due to the lack of a formal charge [11]. Polyoxyethylene alkyl phenols were also avoided due to their undesirable degradation products (e.g., nonyl phenol…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant‐amended sediment slurries

Hoof

Jafvert

1996

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Microbial anaerobic dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was examined in sediment slurries amended with two classes of nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan fatty acid esters (Tweens) and POE alcohols (Brijs). The rationale for surfactant addition was to increase the bioavailability of highly sorbed organic pollutants to degrading microorganisms by enhancing their solubility. The solubility of HCB was initially enhanced via micellar partitioning; however, primary degradation of most surfactants occurred within 10 d. Dechlorination activity was significantly reduced at POE alcohol concentrations above the critical micelle concentration (cmc), with or without the occurrence of surfactant degradation. Tween 80 decreased HCB dechlorination at concentrations significantly above the cmc (1,500–5,000 mg/L). At concentrations closer to the cmc (300–1,200 mg/L), Tween 80 increased dechlorination rate constants four‐ to fivefold in acclimated slurries. Additions of Tween 80 at or below the cmc (3, 30, 300, and 911 mg/L) stimulated dechlorination activity in unacclimated slurries that exhibited very little activity in unamended controls. An average of 89% of HCB was dechlorinated after 90 d, compared to 20% in unamended sediments. No effect was observed for POE alcohols at these sub‐cmc levels. The lack of a stimulated response for the POE alcohols suggests that Tween 80 may not be acting simply as a source of carbon or energy.

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Effectiveness of surfactants in the microbial degradation of oil

Cited by 19 publications

References 10 publications

Evaluation of ethoxylated alkylsulfate surfactants for use in subsurface remediation

Evaluation of ethoxylated alkylsulfate surfactants for use in subsurface remediation

Influence of chemical surfactants on the biodegradation of crude oil by a mixed bacterial culture

Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant‐amended sediment slurries

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