Effect of surfactant addition on phenanthrene biodegradation in sediments

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dc.contributor.advisorWard, C. H.
dc.creatorTsomides, Harry James
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T00:35:26Z
dc.date.available2009-06-04T00:35:26Z
dc.date.issued1994
dc.description.abstractA literature search and laboratory treatability study were conducted to determine the potential of commercial surfactants to enhance the bioremediation of PAH-contaminated sediments. Phenanthrene was used as a model PAH and an inoculum of PAH-degrading microorganisms enriched from an aquatic sediment was used in sediment-water slurry microcosm biodegradation experiments. The abilities of nonionic surfactants to reduce surface tension and enhance phenanthrene solubility, the effect of sediment on the physical behavior of surfactants, and the effects of surfactants on phenanthrene biodegradation were examined. Of the surfactants tested, all except Triton X-100 severely inhibited phenanthrene mineralization. Adding Triton X-100 to microcosms with or without sediment significantly enhanced the extent of phenanthrene mineralization after 1 week. These experimental results suggest that this surfactant may be useful in the bioremediation of PAH-contaminated sediments and that further studies using pilot-scale systems or a field demonstration are warranted.
dc.format.extent117 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS ENV.SCI. 1994 TSOMIDES
dc.identifier.citationTsomides, Harry James. "Effect of surfactant addition on phenanthrene biodegradation in sediments." (1994) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13910">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13910</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/13910
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectEnvironmental science
dc.subjectMicrobiology
dc.subjectBiology
dc.titleEffect of surfactant addition on phenanthrene biodegradation in sediments
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentEnvironmental Science
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science
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