Previous research has demonstrated the robust nature of DOWFAX surfact
ants for enhanced subsurface remediation. However, these surfactants a
re not as effective as others in enhancing contaminant solubility. A s
eries of experiments evaluated various methods of increasing the solub
itity enhancement of the DOWFAX components (i.e., using a cosurfactant
, adding an electrolyte, and forming middle-phase microemulsions). Res
ults demonstrate that while increasing the alkyl chain produced slight
increases in contaminant solubility, middle-phase microemulsions prod
uced the greatest enhancements. Middle-phase microcmulsions were produ
ced using an electrolyte, isobutanol, a cosurfactant, and one of the D
OWFAX components. Middle-phase microemulsions increased contaminant so
lubilities by one to two orders of magnitude over DOWFAX surfactants a
lone, and by three to four orders of magnitude relative to water. Thus
, DOWFAX-based microemulsion systems have the potential to significant
ly enhance contaminant solubility and expedite environmental remediati
on.