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The Persistence and Biological Effects of Surface Active Agents in Soil¹

ABSTRACT

Though surface active agents gain access to soil through agricultural sprays, little is known of their persistence and biological effects. Studies were made with the following surface active agents: (1) Tween 80 (non-ionic); (2) Ceepryn (cationic); (3) Nacconol NRSF (anionic).

Tween 80 decomposed rapidly in soil. Ceepryn was also decomposed following an initial lag period. Nacconol NRSF resisted decomposition.

Tween 80 had little or no undesirable biological effects in soil. At very high levels, Ceepryn reduced the total number of micro-organisms in soil and inhibited nitrification. Nacconol NRSF was more detrimental than Ceepryn. It is suggested that the toxicity of ionic surface active agents is reduced as a result of adsorption by the colloidal fraction of soil. The cationic compound was adsorbed to a greater extent than the anionic compound.

¹ Journal Series Paper, Department of Agricultural Microbiology, New Jersey Agr. Exp. Sta., Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J.

² Dept. of Agr. Microbiology, Rutgers University.

Received for publication August 31, 1955.