Effect of tween 80 added to the soil on the degradation of endosulfan by pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT

Endosulfan, a chlorinated cyclodiene insecticide is of environmental concern because of its apparent persistence and toxicity to many non target organisms. Endosulfan is hydrophobic and persists in soil for more than a year. To overcome the problem of hydrophobic and limited availability, surfactants play a major role in soil remediation. In the present study, the effect of Tween 80 added to the soil on the degradation of endosulfan by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different pH [7.0 and 8.5] was studied. The addition of synthetic surfactant Tween 80 enhanced the solubility and degradation of endosulfan. A significant degradation [94%] was observed in pH 8.5 and Tween 80 added soil; the bacterial population in the treatment unit T8 was 75 x 109 CFU/g of soil. The unit T4 inoculated at pH 8.5 showed 86% alpha and 60% beta endosulfan degradation, the bacterial population was 73 x 108 CFU / g of soil. The degradation of both the isomers were observed and accompanied with formation of endodiol and endosulfan sulfate