Effects of humic acid and Tween-80 on behavior of decabromodiphenyl ether in soil columns

The effects of organic matter, humic acid and Tween-80 on decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) behavior in soil columns were investigated. The BDE-209 transport was simulated in 4-cm-length soil columns whether organic matter was added or not. A high concentration of BDE-209 was washed out of the soil column in the presence of 500 mg L⁻¹ of Tween-80 for forming and suspending contaminated soil colloids in more than 4-cm-length ones (especially in 10-cm-length ones). While the humic acid was to facilitate BDE-209 adsorption onto soil particles (like soil colloids), Tween-80 was to enhance BDE-209 movement in porous media. The significant concentration averaged from 0.2 to 0.1 μg L⁻¹ in soil columns of length from 10 to 24 cm with Tween-80 addition by comparing the estimated marginal means (p < 0.05, SPSS). Contrasted with humic acid-binding BDE-209 in soil particles, Tween-80 could carry contaminant soil colloids into deeper layers and even affect the final effluents of 25-cm-length columns. It was visibly presented that the BDE-209 concentration in the effluents was mainly induced by Tween-80. Thus, BDE-209 was carried by soil colloids to transport and pollute longer and wider soil distance with the help of the effective promoters and stabilizers of Tween-80 and humic acid in soil matrix.