Batch washing of saturated hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from crude oil contaminated soils using bio-surfactant

Desorption of total saturated fractions(i.e. SAT, defined for this study as the summation of the concentrations of the saturated hydrocarbon from n-C10 to n-C26) and polycyclic aromatic fractions(i.e. PAH, defined as the summation of the concentrations of all polycyclic aromatic fractions including the 16 EPA priority PAH) in two types of soils subjected to the changes of p H and salinity and different bio-surfactant concentrations were investigated. In general, compared with the experiments without bio-surfactant addition, adding rhamnolipid to crude oil-water systems at concentrations above its critical micelle concentration(CMC) values benefits SAT and PAH desorption. The results indicate that the change of p H could have distinct effects on rhamnolipid performance concerning its own micelle structure and soil properties. For loam soil, the adsorption of non-aqueous phase liquid(NAPL) and rhamnolipid would be the principle limiting factors during the NAPL removal procedure. For sand soil, less amount of rhamnolipid is adsorbed onto soil. Thus, with the increase of salinity, the solubilization and desorption of rhamnolipid solution are more significant. In summary, the p H and salt sensitivity of the bio-surfactant will vary according to the specific structure of the surfactant characteristics and soil properties.