Pollution Research Paper

STUDIES ON THE PERMEATION OF DETERGENT WASTEWATER ON THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COHESIVE SOIL

K. NAGAKARTHIGAN, R. SARAVANANE, V. MURUGAIYAN AND T. SUNDARARAJAN

Abstract

Single soil column studies were carried out to understand the influence of detergent (surfactant) wastewater (synthetic type) on the physico chemical behaviour and on the index and strength properties of fine-grained soil due to artificial contamination extending to nearly 101 days period. Two modes of operation, two HRTs and two concentrations of wastewater, were the parameters considered. The unique role played by the above ionic type surfactant wastewater (which is alkaline and has the potential to cause imperviousness in soils) in influencing the physico chemical behaviour and the index properties of fine-grained soil are highlighted. Great caution needs to be exercised by Geotechnical Engineers and by the various industries, when an ionic type surfactant wastewater, is allowed to discharge on a fine-grained soil mass, when such soil/ (s) are to be used for Engineering purposes.