Influence of surfactants on pyrene desorption and degradation in soils.

Four surfactants were tested at five concentrations to determine their abilities to solubilize soil-adsorbed pyrene. Inoculation with pyrene degraders in the presence of the surfactant Witconol SN70 was the most effective treatment for pyrene mineralization (46 to 80%) under unsaturated conditions, but the surfactant inhibited the effectiveness of these inoculants in soil slurries.