Fate of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in agricultural soil columns during inflow of surfactant pulses

The transport and reaction processes of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) were characterised in columns of agricultural soil with a constant inflow of irrigation water. A pulse input of commercial LAS was performed with different mixtures of soil and sea sand (0/100%, 25/75% and 50/50%) and a continuous water flow of approximately 0.5 mL/min. LAS homologue retention was favoured at a higher soil rate, due mainly to higher clay and organic matter contents. C10LAS and C11LAS were less retained in soil columns, and were eluted faster and in higher proportion through soil columns than other homologues. C12LAS and C13LAS showed stronger interactions with soil due to their higher sorption capacity, and a lower proportion was eluted than the lightest homologues. In general, sorption of LAS was reversible and significant fractions were desorbed when the LAS input ceased and they were transported to deeper layers in the soil column, especially for short-chain homologues. Longer LAS homologues were eluted from soil columns, but required an elution of >10 pore-volumes. When there was biodegradation in the soil column, >25% of LAS could be removed, reducing percolation to deeper layers.

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► A pulse input of an anionic surfactant (LAS) has been characterized in soil columns.
► Hydrodynamic characteristics of the column affected to LAS homologues elution.
► The higher clay and organic matter contents increased the LAS homologues retention.
► LAS sorption was reversible in agricultural soil and especially in sand fractions.
► Hydrophobic homologues required high water flux to accede to deeper soil layers.