Composition and Method for Improving the Water Transport Characteristics of Hydrophobic Soils

A method for treating a hydrophobic surface comprising:

• forming a wetting agent comprising;
• a compound of Formula I:
• wherein:
• R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, aryl(C1-24)alkyl, —C(═O)—R1, C(═O)—NHR1, and C(═O)—O—R1 wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, C1-24 arylalkyl;
• A is an organic moiety derived from the group consisting of alkylene oxides having 4-12 carbon atoms and aryl epoxides having 8-12 carbon atoms;
• x=1-300;
• y=0-200;
• z=0-200;
• and
• with the proviso that R and R′ cannot be H or ether functionality at the same time;
• and
• and a compound of Formula II:
• [R2O—(CH2CH2O)x—(CH2CH(CH3)O)y]z—P(O)(OM)3-z Formula II
• where R2 is C1-C24 alkyl, aryl, alkaryl;
• x=0-20;
• y=0-20;
• z=1 or 2 and M is H, Na, K, Ca, Mg or Li. In a particularly preferred embodiment. A particularly preferred embodiment of Formula II R2 is isodecyl, x=6, y=0, M=H, and z=1;
• and
• applying said wetting agent to said hydrophobic surface.