Preconcentration of phenanthrene from aqueous solution by a slightly hydrophobic nonionic surfactant

The preconcentration of phenanthrene from aqueous solution was discussed. The study was carried out by using a slightly hydrophobic nonionic surfactant. The slightly hydrophobic surfactant, at proper condition enhanced the performance of the surfactant-based extraction process on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The results show that the increasing the temperature difference enhanced the preconcentration factors prominently but only slightly the recovery efficiency.