Decontamination of DDT-Polluted Soil by Soil Washing/Cloud Point Extraction

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Abstract
A soil washing/cloud point extraction technique was used for the decontamination of soil polluted with DDT. Soil samples spiked with DDT were washed with 3% and 5% nonionic detergent solutions, consisting of a mixture of Igepal ICO-630 and Triton X-114. The results showed that a 2-h washing period with a 5% detergent solution, and a 3-h period with a 3% detergent solution, removed practically all DDT from the soil. Extraction efficiencies depended on the surfactant concentration and the volume of washing liquid. The cloud point of the extraction medium was 34°C, and clouding experiments succeeded in extracting >93% of the DDT in the washing solution into the surfactant (coacervate) phase. The method holds promise for large scale treatment of contaminated soils.