Photodegradation of endocrine disrupting chemical nonylphenol by simulated solar UV-irradiation

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2006-10, Vol.369 (1), p.295-306
• Main Authors: Neamţu, Mariana, Frimmel, Fritz H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bicarbonates - chemistry; Biological and physicochemical phenomena; Biological Assay; DOM; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Endocrine Disruptors - chemistry; Endocrine Disruptors - metabolism; Endocrine Disruptors - radiation effects; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Estrogens - chemistry; Estrogens - metabolism; Estrogens - radiation effects; Exact sciences and technology; Humic Substances; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Iron - chemistry; Natural water pollution; Nitrates - chemistry; Nonylphenol; Oxidants - chemistry; Phenols - chemistry; Phenols - metabolism; Phenols - radiation effects; Photodegradation; Photolysis; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Solar simulated irradiance; Temperature; Ultraviolet Rays; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - radiation effects; Water treatment and pollution; Yeasts; YES test
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.05.002

The photolysis of nonylphenol (NP) was investigated using a solar simulator in the absence/presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), HCO 3−, NO 3− and Fe(III) ions. The effects of different parameters such as initial pH, initial concentration of substrate, temperature, and the effect of hydrogen peroxide concentration on photodegradation of nonylphenol in aqueous solution have been assessed. The results indicate that the oxidation rate increases in the presence of H 2O 2, Fe(III) and DOM with dissolved organic carbon concentrations not higher than 3 mg L − 1 . Phenol, 1,4-dihydroxylbenzene and 1,4-benzoquinone were identified as intermediate products of photodegradation of nonylphenol, through an HPLC method. In addition, the disappearance of the estrogenic activity of nonylphenol during irradiation using YES test was investigated. Based upon the YES test results, there was a strong decrease of estrogenic activity of nonylphenol after 80 h irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.