Systematic Map of Chemical and Biological Surfactant Effects on Oxygen Mass Transfer at the Air-Water Interface

This review summarizes scientific studies from 1963 to 2024 on how chemical and biological surfactants affect oxygen transfer at the air-water interface. Surfactants, which often enter water from human activities, can alter water surfaces and involve the transfer of oxygen, an important aspect of water quality and treatment. We reviewed 54 peer-reviewed studies and sorted them by surfactant type, water type, and experimental scale. A lot of research has been done on chemical surfactants, but less on biosurfactants. Most of the experiments were conducted in labs, indicating that more field research is needed. There are still more than 92.22% of possible combinations of surfactants and water that have not been tested. Surfactants usually make it harder for oxygen to move through water, but the extent to which they do depends on their chemistry, the amount present, and the water's cleanliness. Research is segregated into distinct disciplines, exhibiting minimal collaboration. This review highlights areas where further research is needed, especially on biosurfactants and their behavior in real-world water. It also offers ideas for improving wastewater treatment. Our findings support green chemistry and give a framework for better managing oxygen transfer and surfactant pollution in water systems.