The Neutral Oil in Commercial Linear Alkylbenzenesulfonate and Its Effect on Organic Solute Solubility in Water

Cary T. Chiou, Daniel E. Kile, David W. Rutherford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Apparent water solubilities of 1, 1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT), 2,4,5,2;5′-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB), and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene (TCB) were determined at room temperature in aqueous solutions of commercial linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS), oil-free (solvent-extracted) LAS, and single-molecular 4-dodecylbenzenesulfonate. The extent of solute solubility enhancement by commercial LAS is markedly greater than that by other ionic surfactants below the measured critical micelle concentration (CMC); above the CMC, the enhancement data with LAS are comparable with other surfactants as micelles. The small amount of neutral oils in commercial LAS (1.7%), comprising linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and bis(alkylphenyl) sulfones, contributes significantly to the enhanced solubility of DDT and PCB below the CMC; the effect is ascribed to formation of oil-surfactant emulsions. The oil-surfactant emulsion formed corresponds to ~9-10% of the commercial LAS below the CMC. The data suggest that discharge of wastewater containing a significant level of oils and surface-active agents could lead to potential mobilization of organic pollutants and LABs in aquatic environments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)660-665
Number of pages6
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1991 Apr 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Environmental Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Neutral Oil in Commercial Linear Alkylbenzenesulfonate and Its Effect on Organic Solute Solubility in Water'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this