Effect of application of surfactants on hydraulic properties of soils

This study explores the effect of surfactants, commonly found in detergents, on the hydraulic properties of soils. The soil properties examined included hydraulic conductivity, infiltration characteristics, and effective suction at the wetting front, capillary rise and soil penetrability. Two agricultural soils-a loam and a sandy loam, and three surfactants-one anionic surfactant (Sulphonic) and two non-ionic surfactants (Rexol and Rexonic), were used in the study. Changes in hydraulic properties with the application of surfactants were compared with properties obtained with deionised water (control). The results showed that Sulphonic, the anionic surfactant, had a significant effect on hydraulic properties of both soils. Applications of Sulphonic caused decreases in the capillary rise and penetrability, and an increase in the solid-liquid contact angle, shape factor and sorptivity. Except for a slight decrease in hydraulic conductivity resulting from the application of Rexol, the non-ionic surfactants did not reveal significant impact on the hydraulic characteristics of test soils. (C) 2003 Silsoe Research Institute. All rights reserved Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.