Surfactant assisted removal of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from contaminated soils

The study deals with the removal of residual contaminants Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from soil using surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and Triton x-100. Surfactants were used with and without chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). SDS (10 mM) was the most effective surfactant for removing metals. Replacing distilled water with SDS enhanced metal removal by the factor of 5.5, 28.8, and 29.1 for Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. SDS with EDTA was efficient in removing metals. Interaction of metal ions with respect to adsorption and desorption were also studied.