HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Miller, W. W. Articles by Letey, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Miller, W. W. Articles by Letey, J. Agricola Articles by Miller, W. W. Articles by Letey, J.

Distribution of Nonionic Surfactant in Soil Columns Following Application and Leaching¹

ABSTRACT

The distribution of ¹⁴C-tagged surfactant (Soil Penetrant) was observed in soil columns following application of various concentrations and leaching under unsaturated flow on wettable (Pachappa) and water-repellent (Morris Dam) soils. The maximum depth of surfactant penetration for a given leaching period was greater for Pachappa than for Morris Dam. Following leaching there was a more uniform distribution of surfactant throughout the column of Pachappa soil. Water drop penetration time (WDPT) experiments showed good correlation between experimental distribution as determined by ¹⁴C tracing and actual reduction of water repellency to a given depth. Consequently, the movement and distribution characteristics of a non-¹⁴C-tagged surfactant (Aqua Gro) on the Morris Dam soil following application and leaching was qualitatively examined by the WDPT method. A theoretical model was tested for its ability to qualitatively predict experimental Soil Penetrant distributions. There was reasonable agreement between experimental and calculated distributions. Specific adsorptive characteristics at low equilibrium concentrations were found to be very important to surfactant distribution in a given soil.

¹ Contribution of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Riverside 92502. The research leading to this report was supported by the Office of Water Resources Research, USDI, under the Matching Funds program of Public Law 88-379, as amended, and by the University of California, Water Resources Center. It is a part of Office of Water Resources Research Projects no. B-072-CAL and B-141-CAL (Water Resources Center Project W-332).

² Research Assistant and Professor of Soil Physics, respectively, Univ. of Calif., Riverside. The senior author is currently Assistant Professor of Soil Ecology and Extension Specialist in Natural Resource Development, University of Nevada, Reno.

Received for publication April 15, 1974. Accepted for publication August 28, 1974.