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Abstract
In this article the conditions that govern surfactant‐enhanced emulsification and mobilization of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil are reviewed. The effect of soil properties, groundwater constituents, and differing surfactant solutions on the emulsification process is discussed. A constant head soil flushing apparatus used to characterize surfactant‐enhanced mobilization of m‐xylene is described. Data showing the effect of surfactant‐enhanced mobilization on m‐xylene removal efficiency in washed sand is presented. Flushing solutions were used at concentrations from below to well above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactants used. Removal efficiencies are shown to vary with surfactant concentration and with surfactant type. Flushing solutions of anionic, nonionic, and anionic/nonionic surfactant mixtures were evaluated.