Soil texture influences on bio-surfactant sorption rates

Abstract

Due to anthropogenic causes, rapid environmental changes have led to droughts becoming a frequent threat. These droughts introduce stress to plants, reducing crop yields worldwide. One potential solution is increasing soil water retention (SWC) and soil wettability. Synthetic surfactants have been found to increase SWC and soil wettability; however, due to being non-biodegradable and having a high production cost, they are not sustainable. On the other hand, bio-surfactants are biodegradable and sustainable. Surfactants are molecules that decrease the surface tension of the liquid it is dissolved. This study will focus on soil textures on bio-surfactants sorption rates. Sorption rates of bio-surfactants are important because if the surfactant is not absorbed into the soil is not effective at increasing the SWC and soil wettability. A novel colorimetric assay will be used to establish a calibration curve and to measure surfactant absorption. The calibration curve will be used to convert optical density (OD) into surfactant ppm. This method will allow measurement of bio-surfactant absorbed into the soil.