Evaluation of foam surfactant for foam-flushing technique in remediation of DDT-contaminated soil using data envelopment analysis method.

With an aim to select the most appropriate foaming surfactant for remediation of DDT-contaminated soil by foam-flushing technique, the performances of nonionic and anionic surfactant in several aspects were observed in this study. SDS had the best foam static characteristic among the four experimental surfactants. The solubilizing ability for DDT followed the order of Tween80 > TX100 > SDS > Brij35. The adsorption loss of SDS onto soil was the lowest. The order of desorption efficiency for DDT followed as TX-100 > Tween80 > Brij35 > SDS. Based on these experimental investigations, the overall performances of foaming surfactants were evaluated by data envelopment analysis method. The results indicated that SDS was the optimal alternative for remediation of DDT-contaminated soil by foam-flushing technique. This conclusion was reached with the consideration of the cost, foam static characteristic, surfactant adsorption loss, solubilizing ability, and desorption efficiency of surfactant for DDT.