A comparative study of adsorption of an anionic and a non-ionic surfactant by soils based on physicochemical and mineralogical properties of soils

In the present work we performed a comparative study on the adsorption of the surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) (anionic), and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100) (non-ionic) to 18 soils with organic matter (OM) and clay fraction contents varying over a broad range. The objective of the study was to gain further insight into the influence of the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of soils on the adsorption of surfactants by soils. Adsorption isotherms were obtained using concentrations below the critical micellar concentration (cmc) of the surfactants. The adsorption coefficients, Kf, determined from the Freundlich equation were lower for SDS (range 1.77-82.1, mean value 36.3) than for Triton X-100 (range 0.01-913, mean value 257). Simple and multiple correlation coefficients were obtained between Kf values and soil characteristics. The results obtained indicate the influence of the OM content on the adsorption of SDS (r=0.64, p<0.01) and of the clay fraction content on that of Triton X-100 (r=0.83, p<0.001). Additionally, we observed a preferential adsorption of SDS by the 1:1 mineral kaolinite (r=0.54, p<0.05), while Triton X-100 was adsorbed mainly by the 2:1 minerals, montmorillonite (r=0.66, p<0.01) and illite (r=0.87, p<0.001). According to the influence of different soil parameters on adsorption, different mechanisms of adsorption are proposed for each surfactant. Our findings point to the interest of considering the physicochemical properties of soils and also the mineralogy of the soil clay fraction when selecting a surfactant in technologies involving enhanced solubilization and removal of contaminants from soils and sediments.     

Synergistic solubilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by mixed anionic-nonionic surfactants

Water solubility enhancements of naphthalene (Naph), acenaphthylene (Acen), anthracene (An), phenanthrene (Phen) and pyrene (Py) by micellar solutions of single and mixed anionic-nonionic surfactants were measured and compared. Effects of typical inorganic ions, such as NH(4)(+), Na(+) and Mg(2+) coexisted with the organic pollutants (in soils) on water solubilities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the presence of single and mixed surfactants were also investigated. Solubilities of PAHs in water are greatly enhanced in a linear fashion by each of Triton X-100 (TX100), Triton X-305 (TX305), Brij 35, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Solubility enhancement efficiencies of surfactants above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) follow the order of TX100>Brij 35>TX305>SDS. PAHs are solubilized synergistically in mixed anionic-nonionic surfactant solutions, especially at low surfactant concentrations. The synergistic power of the mixed surfactants is SDS-TX305>SDS-Brij 35>SDS-TX100. Synergistic effect of a given mixed-surfactant solution on different PAHs also appears to be linearly related to the solute logK(ow). The noted synergism for the mixed surfactants is attributed to the formation of mixed micelles, the lower CMC of the mixed-surfactant solutions, and the increase of the solute's molar solubilization ratio or micellar partition coefficients (K(mc)) because of the lower polarity of the mixed micelles. Suitable quantity of inorganic cations can enhance the solubilization capacities of anionic-nonionic mixed surfactants, the effect being Mg(2+)>NH(4)(+)>Na(+). The water solubility of pyrene was slightly increased by anthracene and significantly increased by 1,2,3-TCB in the presence of SDS-Brij 35. Mixed surfactants may improve the performance of surfactant-enhanced remediation of soils and sediments by decreasing the applied surfactant level and thus the remediation cost.     

Triton X-100在土壤颗粒上的吸附特征研究

采用平衡振荡法，研究了砂土对非离子表面活性剂Triton X-100的吸附特征。结果表明，砂颗粒对Triton X-100的吸附能力总体较低，单位吸附含量均＜1.1 mg/g；砂颗粒吸附Triton X-100过程中存在显著的吸附剂浓度效应，砂颗粒上Triton X-100含量随着固液比（吸附剂浓度）的增大而减小；吸附容量q_m与平衡常数K_L值随固液比变化而变化，Langmuir方程适用范围是起始浓度C₀相对较小的固液吸附体系；0.5～1 mm石英砂的吸附能力略＞0.2～0.5 mm石英砂，0.5～1 mm和0.2～0.5 mm石英砂吸附Triton X-100变化特征具有显著的一致性，采用高斯拟合模型可以反映出石英砂吸附Triton X-100的变化规律，相关系数R²均＞0.98。     

Effect of surfactant alkyl chain length on soil cadmium desorption using surfactant/ligand systems

The effect of surfactant alkyl chain length on soil Cd desorption was studied using nonionic surfactants of polyethylene oxide (PEO) of PEO chain lengths of 7.5 (Triton X-114), 9.5 (Triton X-100), 30 (Triton X-305), or 40 units (Triton X-405) in combination with the I- ligand. Triplicate 1 g soil samples were equilibrated with 15 ml of surfactant-ligand mixture, at concentrations of 0.025, 0.50 or 0.10, and 0.0, 0.168 or 0.336 mol/l, respectively. After shaking the samples for 24 h, the supernatant fraction was analyzed for Cd content to determine the percent of Cd desorbed from the soil. After five successive washings, 53%, 40% and 25% of Cd had been desorbed by 0.025, 0.050 or 0.10 mol/l of Triton X-114, respectively, in the presence of 0.336 mol/l of I-, whereas with the same conditions, Triton X-100 desorbed 61%, 57% and 56% Cd and either Triton X-305 or Triton X-405 desorbed 51, 40 and 14 to 16% Cd. The most efficient Cd desorption was obtained using 0.025 mol/l Triton X-100 in admixture with 0.336 mol/l I-. Increased surfactant concentration was detrimental to Cd desorption consistent with a process that blocked ligand access to the soil particle surface. After 5 washings,the cumulative cadmium desorption decreased with increasing surfactant alkyl chain length, indicating that the metal-ligand complexes are preferably stabilized by the micelles' hydrophobic octyl phenyl (OP) group rather than by the hydrophilic PEO group. In the absence of ligand, the surfactants alone desorbed less than 1% Cd from the contaminated soil, suggesting that the ligand, rather than the surfactant, extracts the metal, to be subsequently stabilized within the surfactant micelles.     

Solubilization and biodegradation of phenanthrene in mixed anionic-nonionic surfactant solutions

The effects of mixed anionic-nonionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) mixed with Tween80 (TW80), Triton X-100 (TX100) and Brij35 respectively on the solubility enhancement and biodegradation of phenanthrene in the aqueous phase were investigated. The efficiency of solubilization and biodegradation of phenanthrene in single-, and mixed-surfactant solutions were also compared. The critical micellar concentrations (CMCs) of mixed surfactants were sharply lower than that of sole SDS. The degree of solubility enhancements by the mixed surfactants followed the order of SDS-TW80>SDS-Brij35>SDS-TX100. Synergistic solubilization was observed in the mixed surfactant solutions, in which the molar ratios of SDS to nonionic surfactant were 1:0, 9:1, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 1:9 and 0:1 while the total concentration of surfactants was kept at 5.0 and 10.0 mM, respectively. SDS-Brij35 exhibited more significant degree of synergistic solubility enhancement for phenanthrene. The mixed surfactants exhibited no inhibitory effect on biodegradation of phenanthrene. Substantial amounts of the solubilized phenanthrene by mixed surfactants were completely degraded by phenanthrene-degrading microorganisms within 96 h. The results suggested that anionic-nonionic surfactants would improve the performance of remediation of PAH-contaminated soils.     

蓖麻油衍生微乳液对菲的增溶和洗脱作用及其对菲污染土壤的修复机理

比较研究了蓖麻油硫酸盐(SCOS)与普通表面活性剂Triton X-100(TX100)、Tween 80(TW80)、Brij35、十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)和十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)等对菲的增溶和洗脱作用.结果表明,菲表观溶解度与SCOS的浓度呈单一线性关系,SCOS微乳液对菲的增溶比SR=0.0314为最大,菲在微乳相和水相之间的分配系数logKem=4.44,大于菲在胶束相和水相之间的分配系数(logKmc).1:10土-水体系下,SCOS微乳液对菲污染土壤的清洗速率最快,清洗效率最高.SCOS有望成为土壤有机污染淋洗修复的增效试剂.     

Effects of surfactants on extraction of phenanthrene in spiked sand

Problems associated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated site in environmental media have received increasing attention. To resolve such problems, innovative in situ methods are urgently required. This work investigated the feasibility of using surfactants to extract phenanthrene on spiked sand in a batch system. Phenanthrene was spiked into Ottawa sand to simulate contaminated soil. Six surfactants, Brij 30 (BR), Triton X-100 (TR), Tergitol NP-10 (TE), Igepal CA-720 (IG), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB) were used. Adjusting the extraction time, mixing speed and surfactant concentration yielded the optimum extracting conditions. The concentration of phenanthrene was identified with HPLC. Under the experimental conditions, results indicated that those surfactants were highly promising on site remediation since the residual phenanthrene concentration was effectively reduced. The optimum operating conditions were obtained at 30 min, 125 rpm and surfactant concentrations in 4%.     

Enhancing p-cresol extraction from soil

Soil washing is a potential technology for rapid removal of organic hydrocarbons sorbed to soils. In this work, p-cresol desorption with different non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80, Brij 30 and Triton X-100) was compared to cyclodextrine and citrate as solubilizer. A series of batch extraction experiments were conducted at 20 °C using the field soil with different extracting solutions at various concentrations to investigate the removal efficiency and to optimize the concentration of the extractant. The use of the different extracting agents was very selective to p-cresol extraction, minimizing soil organic matter releasing and maintaining the natural pH of the soil. The highest asymptotic values of desorption percentages were obtained for Tween 80 and Brij 30 at 48 h. However, Brij 30 ecotoxicity (EC₅₀ = 0.5 mg L⁻¹) is in the same order of that obtained for p-cresol, being this surfactant clearly ruled out. Liquid to solid ratio of 2.5 mL g⁻¹ presented the best extraction results, while concentrations higher than 1 g L⁻¹ for Tween 80 and Citrate did not produce any significant effect on the desorption efficiency. p-Cresol extraction efficiencies higher than 70% and 60% for Tween 80 and Citrate, respectively.     

Soil remediation: humic acids as natural surfactants in the washings of highly contaminated soils

The remediation of the highly contaminated site around the former chemical plant of ACNA (near Savona) in Northern Italy is a top priority in Italy. The aim of the present work was to contribute in finding innovative and environmental-friendly technology to remediate soils from the ACNA contaminated site. Two soils sampled from the ACNA site (A and B), differing in texture and amount and type of organic contaminants, were subjected to soil washings by comparing the removal efficiency of water, two synthetic surfactants, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and Triton X-100 (TX100), and a solution of a natural surfactant, a humic acid (HA) at its critical micelle concentration (CMC). The extraction of pollutants by sonication and soxhlet was conducted before and after the soil washings. Soil A was richer in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas soil B had a larger content of thiophenes. Sonication resulted more analytically efficient in the fine-textured soil B. The coarse-textured soil A was extracted with a general equal efficiency also by soxhlet. Clean-up by water was unable to exhaustively remove contaminants from the two soils, whereas all the organic surfactants revealed very similar efficiencies (up to 90%) in the removal of the contaminants from the soils. Hence, the use of solutions of natural HAs appears as a better choice for soil washings of highly polluted soils due to their additional capacity to promote microbial activity, in contrast to synthetic surfactants, for a further natural attenuation in washed soils.     

Degradation of di-butyl-phthalate by soil bacteria

Twelve Gram-positive phthalate ester degraders were isolated from soil. Using Biolog GP2 plates, eight of them were identified as belonging to the Corynebacterium-Mycobacterium-Nocardia group, while the remaining four were unidentifiable. When cultured in the presence of di-butyl-phthalate (DBP) in basal salts solution, five of these isolates accomplished more than 90% of DBP degradation within 48 h (fast group), three were placed in the medium group, and the remaining four were placed in the slow group which caused less than 30% of DBP degradation within the same period of time. A 420 bp DNA fragment was amplified from six isolates and none of them fell within the slow group. When compared with the large subunit of phthalate dioxygenase gene (phtA) of Arthrobacter keyseri, 83% and 91% similarities were evident in the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. However, no correlation between cell surface hydrophobicity and phthalate degradation ability was evident. Six surfactants (Brij 30, Brij 35, Tergitoltype NP-10, Triton N-101, Triton X-100 and SDS) were tested for their abilities to increase degradation rate. When added at the critical micellar concentration (CMC), they all displayed strong growth inhibition against the three bacteria tested, with Brij 30 been the least toxic to isolates G2 and G11, and Brij 35 had the least inhibitory effect for G1. When half the CMC of Brij 30 was incorporated into the basal salts, the inhibitory effect on DBP degradation remained. Soil helped to minimize surfactant toxicity of surfactant and increase the degradation potential of some of the test bacteria. When DBP-amended soil had been aged for three months, decreases in bioavailability were observed but the effect varied tremendously between different organisms. For isolates G1, G2, G5, G7 and G17 the aging effects were almost non-exist. The present study indicates that selection of a suitable degrader may minimize the undesired effect of aging on bioremediation process.     

表面活性剂淋滤对土壤中邻苯二甲酸酯纵向迁移的影响

以无表面活性剂的去离子水为对照、设置1倍(1 CMC)和2倍临界胶束浓度(2 CMC)浓度,研究了单一和混合表面活性剂,包括十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)、十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)和曲拉通X-100(TX-100)对人工污染土壤中邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)纵向迁移的影响,土柱中上层为PAEs污染土(3 cm),下层为清洁土(20 cm)。CTAB和SDBS在2 CMC时、TX-100为1 CMC时可增强污染土中PAEs的纵向迁移,其中DMP和DEP有无表面活性剂均可发生迁移,在相同表面活性剂条件下,延长老化时间对污染土中PAEs的迁移产生一定的影响。CTAB和SDBS在2 CMC时,清洁土中PAEs总含量较低,但TX-100在1 CMC时较低。清洁土中PAEs总含量均随土层深度的增加而降低。当老化时间较短时,土壤有机质对PAEs在清洁土柱的迁移影响较小,老化时间的延长对清洁土中的PAEs迁移影响较大。3种表面活性剂均可有效促进清洁土中DMP和DEP的迁移,CTAB和SDBS在2 CMC、TX-100在1 CMC时可促进DNBP和BBP的迁移,但3种表面活性剂对清洁土中DNOP迁移的影响较小。与单一表面活性剂相比,混合表面活性剂有助于污染土中PAEs的迁移,且随着浓度的升高,清洁土中PAEs的含量呈现降低的趋势。就整个土柱而言,单一表面活性剂CTAB和SDBS在较高浓度时、TX-100较低的浓度时对PAEs的淋滤效果更好;在较短老化时间下,土壤有机质含量的高低对淋滤率没有显著影响;老化时间延长有效降低了淋滤率;而混合表面活性剂的淋滤率有明显提高,更有助于PAEs的迁移。     

Soil- and surfactant-enhanced reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride in the presence of Shewanella putrefaciens 200

Sorption of organic contaminants to soils has been shown to limit bioavailability and biodegradation in some systems. Use of surfactants has been proposed to reverse this effect. In this study, the effects of a high organic carbon content soil and a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) on the reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) were examined in anaerobic systems containing Shewanella putrefaciens. Although more than 70% of the added CCl₄ was sorbed to the soil phase in these systems, the reductive dechlorination of CCl₄ was not diminished. Rather, rates of CCl₄ dechlorination in systems containing soil were enhanced relative to systems containing non-sorptive sand slurries. This enhancement was also observed in sterile soil slurries to which a chemical reductant, dithiothreitol was added. It appears that the organic soil used in these experiments contains some catalytic factor capable of transforming CCl₄ in the presence of an appropriate chemical or microbial reductant. The addition of Triton X-100 to sand and soil slurries containing S. putrefaciens resulted in increased CCl₄ degradation in both systems. The effect of Triton could not be explained by: (i) surfactant induced changes in the distribution of CCl₄, (i.e. decreased sorption) or the rate of CCl₄ desorption; (ii) a direct reaction between Triton and CCl₄; or (iii) increased cell numbers resulting from use of the surfactant as a substrate. Rather, it appears that Triton X-100 addition resulted in lysis of bacterial cells, a release of biochemical reductant, and enhanced reductive transformation of CCl₄. These results provide insights to guide the development of more effective direct or indirect bioremediation strategies.     

Effects of SOM, surfactant and pH on the sorption-desorption and mobility of prometryne in soils

Sorption and desorption of the herbicide prometryne in two types of soil subjected to the changes of pH and soil organic matter and surfactant were investigated. The sorption and desorption isotherms were expressed by the Freundlich equation. Freundlich K_f and n values indicate that soil organic matter was the major factor affecting prometryne behavior in the test soils. We also quantified the prometryne sorption and desorption behavior in soils, which arose from the application of Triton X-100 (TX100), a nonionic surfactant and change in pH. Application of TX100 led to a general decrease in prometryne sorption to the soils and an increase in desorption from the soils when applied in dosages of the critical micella concentration (CMC) 0.5, 1 and 2. At the concentration below the CMC, the non-ionic surfactant showed a tendency to decrease prometryne sorption and desorption. It appeared that TX100 dosages above CMC were required to effectively mobilize prometryne. Results indicate that the maximum prometryne sorption and minimum prometryne desorption in soils were achieved when the solution pH was near its pK_a. Finally, the influence of TX100 on the mobility of prometryne in soils using soil thin-layer chromatography was examined.     

Influence of surfactant sorption on the removal of phenanthrene from contaminated soils

Laboratory column flushing experiments were conducted to remove phenanthrene from contaminated soils by Triton X-100 (TX100) with an aim to investigating the effect of surfactant sorption on the performance of surfactant-enhanced remediation process. The effluent concentration of phenanthrene from soil columns showed strong dependence on the sorption breakthrough curves of TX100. The removal of phenanthrene from contaminated soils was enhanced only when the sorption breakthrough of TX100 occurred and the influent concentration of TX100 was greater than the critical enhanced flushing concentration (CEFC). The sorption of surfactant onto soils and the subsequent partitioning of contaminants into soil-sorbed surfactant had a significant effect on the solute equilibrium distribution coefficient (KD) and thus the flushing efficiency for phenanthrene. A model was developed to predict KD and CEFC values for simulating the performance of surfactant-enhanced flushing for contaminated soils. These results are of practical interest in developing effective and safe surfactant-enhanced remediation technologies.     

Efficiency of surfactant-enhanced desorption for contaminated soils depending on the component characteristics of soil-surfactant--PAHs system

The sorption of surfactants onto soils has a significant effect on the performance of surfactant enhanced desorption. In this study, the efficiency of surfactants in enhancing desorption for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soils relative to water was evaluated with a term of relative efficiency coefficient (REC). Since the sorption of surfactants onto soils, surfactants only enhanced PAH desorption when REC values were larger than 1 and the added surfactant concentration was greater than the corresponding critical enhance desorption concentration (CEDC), which was defined as the corresponding surfactant concentration with REC=1. A model was utilized to describe and predict the REC and CEDC values for PAH desorption. The model and experimental results indicated that the efficiency of surfactants in enhancing PAH desorption showed strong dependence on the soil composition, surfactant structure and PAH properties. These results are of practical interest for the selection of surfactant to optimize soil remediation technologies.     

Selective adsorption of phenanthrene dissolved in surfactant solution using activated carbon

Selective adsorption of a hazardous hydrophobic organic compound (HOC) by activated carbon as a means of recovering surfactants after a soil washing process was investigated. As a model system, phenanthrene was selected as a representative HOC and Triton X-100 as a nonionic surfactant. Three activated carbons that differed in size (Darco 20–40 (D20), 12–20 (D12) and 4–12 (D4) mesh sizes) were used in adsorption experiments. Adsorption of surfactant onto activated carbon showed a constant maximum above the critical micelle concentration, which were 0.30, 0.23, 0.15 g g⁻¹ for D20, D12, and D4, respectively. Selectivity for phenanthrene to Triton X-100 was much higher than 1 over a wide range of activated carbon doses (0–6 g l⁻¹) and initial phenanthrene concentrations (10–110 mg l⁻¹). Selectivity generally increased with decreasing particle size, increasing activated carbon dose, and decreasing initial concentration of phenanthrene. The highest selectivity was 74.9, 57.3, and 38.3 for D20, D12, and D4, respectively, at the initial conditions of 10 mg l⁻¹ phenanthrene, 5 g l⁻¹ Triton X-100 and 1 g l⁻¹ activated carbon. In the case of D20 at the same conditions, 86.5% of the initial phenanthrene was removed by sorption and 93.6% of the initial Triton X-100 remained in the solution following the selective adsorption process. The results suggest that the selective adsorption by activated carbon is a good alternative for surfactant recovery in a soil washing process.     

Surfactant-induced mobilisation of trace metals from estuarine sediment: implications for contaminant bioaccessibility and remediation

The mobilisation of metals (Al, Fe, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn) from contaminated estuarine sediment has been examined using commercially available surfactants. Metal release by the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), increased with increasing amphiphile concentration up to and above its critical micelle concentration (CMC). Metal mobilisation by the bile acid salt, sodium taurocholate, and the nonionic surfactant, Triton X-100, however, did not vary with amphiphile concentration. SDS was the most efficient surfactant in mobilising metals from the sample, and Cd, Cu and Ni were released to the greatest extents (12-18% of total metal at [SDS] > CMC). Metal mobilisation appeared to proceed via complexation with anionic amphiphiles and denudation of hydrophobic host phases. Surfactants may play an important role in the solubilisation of metals in the digestive environment of deposit-feeding animals and, potentially, in the remediation of metal-contaminated soil and sediment.     

Biodegradation of phenanthrene in soil.

We investigated the potential of an aerobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-adapted consortium to degrade phenanthrene in soil. Optimal degradation conditions were determined as pH7.0 and 30 degrees C with a water content of 100% wt soil/wt water (w/w). At a concentration of 5 microg/g, phenanthrene degradation (k1) was measured at 0.0269 l/hr with a half-life (t(1/2)) of 25.8 hrs. Our results show that the higher the phenanthrene concentration, the slower the degradation rates. Phenanthrene degradation was enhanced by treatment with yeast extract, glucose, or pyruvate, but was not significantly improved by the addition of acetate. Degradation was delayed by the addition of either compost or potassium nitrate and enhanced by the addition of nonionic surfactants (Brij30, Brij35, Triton X100 or Triton N101) at critical micelle concentration (CMC). Phenanthrene degradation was delayed at levels above CMC.     

Surfactive stabilization of multi-walled carbon nanotube dispersions with dissolved humic substances

Soil humic substances (HS) stabilize carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions, a mechanism we hypothesized arose from the surfactive nature of HS. Experiments dispersing multi-walled CNT in solutions of dissolved Aldrich humic acid (HA) or water-extractable Catlin soil HS demonstrated enhanced stability at 150 and 300 mg L⁻¹ added Aldrich HA and Catlin HS, respectively, corresponding with decreased CNT mean particle diameter (MPD) and polydispersivity (PD) of 250 nm and 0.3 for Aldrich HA and 450 nm and 0.35 for Catlin HS. Analogous trends in MPD and PD were observed with addition of the surfactants Brij 35, Triton X-405, and SDS, corresponding to surfactant sorption maximum. NEXAFS characterization showed that Aldrich HA contained highly surfactive domains while Catlin soil possessed a mostly carbohydrate-based structure. This work demonstrates that the chemical structure of humic materials in natural waters is directly linked to their surfactive ability to disperse CNT released into the environment.     

Pesticide adsorption on a calcareous soil modified with sewage sludge and quaternary alkyl-ammonium cationic surfactants

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Pesticides are often found in soil as a result of their application to control pests. They can be transported on soil particles to surface waters or they can lixiviate and reach other environmental compartments. Soil modification with amendments, such as sewage sludge, and with surfactants, h been proposed to reduce pesticide environmental fate. METHODS: The sorption of atrazine, methidathion and diazinon using the batch technique has been studied on non-modified soil and soil modified with sewage sludge and cationic surfactants, as well as the effect of their addition on soil properties such as organic carbon (OC) content and exchange cations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The OC content of the surfactant modified soils was the highest with the surfactant with the longest hydrocarbon chain (hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, HDTMA). The results of the OC content run in parallel with the increase in pesticide retention. When the sorption was n malized to soil OC content, the retention induced by addition of HDTMA was still the highest, which is an indication that the organic matter derived from the organic cations is a more effective medium to retain dissolved contaminants, than organic matter from native soil. The addition of sewage sludge to the soil did only result in a slight increase of the soil CEC and, hence, moderately affected the ability of the cationic surfactant to retain the pesticides. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of cationic surfactants to soil would possibly reduce the movement to groundwater of atrazine, methidathion and diazinon. In the case of HDTMA, the decrease in sorption at high surfactant loadings was very slow, being that the surfactant was able to retain the pesticides at concentration values which clearly exceeded the monolayer coverage. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Contamination by pesticides, which are present in the soil due to their direct input in this medium or to spills or illegal tipping, may be hindered from migration to groundwater by application of a cationic surfactant.