Degradation Of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Research Articles

Nonylphenol ethoxylates and other additives in aircraft deicers, antiicers, and waters receiving airport runoff.

Samples of nine different formulations of aircraft deicer and antiicer fluids (ADAF) were screened for the presence of selected surfactants. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEO) were identified in three ADAF formulations, octylphenol ethoxylates were identified in two formulations, and six formulations contained alcohol ethoxylates. A preliminary field study was conducted at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, WI, to quantify NPnEO (n = 1-15) and one of its byproducts, nonylphenol (NP), in airport runoff. Samples were collected from two airport outfalls, from the receiving stream, and from an upstream reference site during intensive ADAF application events. NPnEO was measured at concentrations up to 1190microg/L in airport outfall samples, up to 77 ug/L in samples from the receiving stream and less than 5.0 microg/L from the upstream reference. Concentrations of glycol and other ADAF-related constituents, including NPnEO, were reduced by approximately 1 order of magnitude between the outfall sites and the receiving stream site; however, concentrations of NP in the receiving stream remained similar to those from the outfalls (< 0.04 microg/L at the upstream reference, 0.98 and 7.67 microg/L at outfalls, and 3.89 microg/L in the receiving stream). The field data suggest that NP is generated through degradation of NPnEO from airport runoff.

Degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates in estuarine sediment under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) surfactants and their metabolites are ubiquitous contaminants of the aquatic environment. Despite considerable interest in the environmental fate of these compounds due to concerns over toxicity and estrogenic activity, the pathways of NPEO degradation in sediments have not previously been reported, in spite of the fact that sediment appears to be an important sink for these compounds in the environment. In the present work, we have examined the rates and pathways of NPEO degradation in batch sediment slurry experiments using radiolabeled NPEO mixtures. Results suggest that NPEOs are more persistent in sediments under anaerobic conditions than in the presence of oxygen. In addition, it was illustrated that NPEO degradation proceeds via separate pathways in oxic and anoxic sediment. Discernible metabolites were identified and an overall mass balance for NPEO degradation in oxic and anoxic sediment was achieved. In contrast with previous studies, no evidence was observed for net production of nonylphenol from NPEOs during aerobic or anaerobic degradation. The observed relative rates at which NPEO ethoxymers disappeared in the sediment slurry experiments were consistent with previous reports for these compounds in sediment and other environmental media, although the absolute rates measured were somewhat faster than those reported for field sediments.

Degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) in sewage sludge and source separated municipal solid waste under bench-scale composting conditions.

Degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) in sewage sludge and source separated municipal solid waste under bench-scale composting conditions.

群馬県の下水処理場と河川における非イオン界面活性剤およびその分解生成物の挙動について

We examined the behavior of nonionic surfactants and their degradation products in two municipal sewage treatment plants with anaerobic-aerobic activated sludge treatment system and seven sampling points in Tone River including tributaries in Gunma prefecture, by LC-MS.In the sewage treatment plants, Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) and alcohol ethoxylates (AE) were removed more than 80% and 90%, respectively, after primary sedimentation tank and anaerobic treatment process. NPE, AE, and nonylphenol (NP) were reduced by 99%, 99.9% and 90-95%, respectively, throughout the treatment. In contrast, nonylphenoxy carboxylic acids (NPEC) rather increased in aeration tank, and were not reduced throughout the treatment. The lengths of ethoxylates of NPE were found shortened after aerobic activated sludge treatment. From these results, NPEC was supposed to generate during degradation of NPE. Since NPE (1), NP and NPEC were detected in the extract of activated sludge, certain portion was found adsorbed into the activated sludge.NPE, AE, NP and NPEC were detected at 0.1-16.4μg·l-1, 0.3-12.8μg·l-1, <0.08-0.2μg·l-1 and <0.008-3.2μg·l-1, respectively, in river waters. OP was detected <0.08μg·l-1 in all points. Concentrations of NPE and AE were comparably higher in downstream, in tributaries and in winter.

Degradation of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates during the Composting of Sludges from Wool Scour Effluents

The aqueous scouring of raw wool produces an effluent that typically has a pollution load of at least 10 times that of domestic sewerage. The bulk of these pollutants may be removed by the SIROLAN-CF chemical flocculation process to produce a clear effluent and a sludge rich in wool wax. This sludge also contains practically all of the wool scouring detergent initially present in the untreated effluent. As the most commonly used detergents for this purpose, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), are toxic to the environment, their fate must be carefully evaluated when disposal options for these sludges are considered. This paper examines the fate of NPE and the metabolites produced during the composting of a mixture of these sludges and municipal greenwaste. Over 14 weeks the NPE residues were decreased by >96%. The principal degradation pathway involved the oxidative hydrolytic shortening of the poly(ethylene oxide) chain of the hydrophile to produce low levels of the biorefractory metabolites nonylphenol (NP), ...

Bacterial degradation of PAHs containing more than three rings — The state of the art

Nonylphenol (NP) is a subset of the alkylphenol, and is used as an intermediate in the production of non-ionic surfactants of nonylphenol ethoxylate. NP can elicit estrogenic action and is therefore classified as an endocrine disruptor capable of interfering with the reproduction of numerous organisms. In the environment, NP originates from degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates, and the main source is treated wastewater effluent. NP has been associated with vitellogenesis and testis–ova formation in male fish species.