Nonylphenol in WaterNonylphenol in Water

ByBy

Jackie Fawcett &Jackie Fawcett &

Michael GoldrichMichael Goldrich

IntroductionIntroduction

In the last 40 years 450 million tons of In the last 40 years 450 million tons of Nonylphenol has been produced world wide, Nonylphenol has been produced world wide, 150,000 tons in the U.S. alone. This 150,000 tons in the U.S. alone. This chemical is extremely toxic and is chemical is extremely toxic and is bioaccumulative, accumulating over time in bioaccumulative, accumulating over time in the tissues of living organisms rather than the tissues of living organisms rather than being evacuated in wastes. The chemical is being evacuated in wastes. The chemical is mainly found in the U.S., Canada, and mainly found in the U.S., Canada, and Europe where it has begun showing up in Europe where it has begun showing up in lakes and rivers.lakes and rivers.

Sources of NonylphenolSources of Nonylphenol

Intermediate for Antioxidants for Rubber and Intermediate for Antioxidants for Rubber and PlasticsPlastics

Phenolic ResinsPhenolic Resins Rubber Processing ChemicalsRubber Processing Chemicals Polyvinyl Chloride PlasticizersPolyvinyl Chloride Plasticizers Antioxidant in the Manufacture of PolystyreneAntioxidant in the Manufacture of Polystyrene Plastic AdditivesPlastic Additives Surfacants in Detergents Surfacants in Detergents Plastic Centrifuge TubesPlastic Centrifuge Tubes Leached from PVC TubesLeached from PVC Tubes Sewage SludgesSewage Sludges

Chemical propertiesChemical properties

Molecular FormulaMolecular Formula CC1515HH2424OO

Molecular WeightMolecular Weight 220.35 grams/mole220.35 grams/mole

Log KLog Kowow 3.813.81

pKpKaa 10.2510.25•6% ortho-substituted, 94% para-substituted

•Insoluble in Water

•Soluble in Benzene, Chlorinated Solvents, Aniline, Heptane, Aliphilic Alcohols, and Ethylene Glycol

•High Viscosity

•Floats on Water

Affects on Animals & Affects on Animals & HumansHumans

Estrogen-like compound, activating estrogen Estrogen-like compound, activating estrogen receptor sites in animals and reptilesreceptor sites in animals and reptiles

Induces cell proliferation and progesterone receptor Induces cell proliferation and progesterone receptor in human estrogen-sensitive Min human estrogen-sensitive MCF7CF7 breast tumor cells breast tumor cells

Triggers mitotic activity in rat endometriumTriggers mitotic activity in rat endometrium Induces sex change in male fishInduces sex change in male fish Influences ATPases and affects the calcium Influences ATPases and affects the calcium

metabolismmetabolism Developmental toxicant to daphnids Developmental toxicant to daphnids Accumulates in the liver, gills, skin, gut, kidney, and Accumulates in the liver, gills, skin, gut, kidney, and

fat tissues in troutfat tissues in trout

SludgeSludge

High Concentrations in Sewage Compared to High Concentrations in Sewage Compared to Other Contaminants (two order of magnitude Other Contaminants (two order of magnitude higher than metals)higher than metals)

Nonylphenol in Stabilized Sewage Sludge Nonylphenol in Stabilized Sewage Sludge Originates from Alkylphenol PolyethoxylatesOriginates from Alkylphenol Polyethoxylates Alkylphenol Polyethoxilates in Stabilized Sludge Further Alkylphenol Polyethoxilates in Stabilized Sludge Further

break down into Alkylphenols, which Accumulate in break down into Alkylphenols, which Accumulate in Digested SludgeDigested Sludge

Consistently Found in Aerobically Stabilized SludgeConsistently Found in Aerobically Stabilized Sludge

Wastewater TreatmentWastewater Treatment

Detection can be Done using UV-vis Detection can be Done using UV-vis Spectrophotometry, Gas Chromotography, Spectrophotometry, Gas Chromotography, and Mass Spectrophotometryand Mass Spectrophotometry

Photodegradeable, Half-Life of 10 to 15 Photodegradeable, Half-Life of 10 to 15 Hours of Continuous Clear Sky, Noon Hours of Continuous Clear Sky, Noon Summer Sunlight in the Surface Layer of Summer Sunlight in the Surface Layer of the Lakethe Lake

Activated Carbon Very Effective because Activated Carbon Very Effective because of High Porosity and Large Surface Areaof High Porosity and Large Surface Area

DataDataAdsorption Isotherm of Activated

Carbon

y = 0.0002x + 3E-05

R2 = 0.9724

0

0.0001

0.0002

0.0003

0.0004

0.0005

0.0006

0.0007

0.0008

0.0009

0.001

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Concentration of Nonylphenol (mL)

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DataData

Adverse effects were observed at: Adverse effects were observed at: 10 micrograms/liter for zooplankton10 micrograms/liter for zooplankton 30 micrograms/liter for sediment 30 micrograms/liter for sediment

dwellersdwellers 300 micrograms/liter for fish300 micrograms/liter for fish

• Half Life in Water is 1.2 daysHalf Life in Water is 1.2 days• Persistent in Sediments from 28 to Persistent in Sediments from 28 to

104 days104 days

ConclusionConclusion

Nonylphenol is a dangerous chemical Nonylphenol is a dangerous chemical with the potential to cause numerous with the potential to cause numerous environmental problems. Although environmental problems. Although there are means of detection, it is still there are means of detection, it is still very difficult to isolate and get rid of. very difficult to isolate and get rid of. Its affects on humans are not the only Its affects on humans are not the only concern, but also its affects on wildlife concern, but also its affects on wildlife and this should also motivated its and this should also motivated its restriction in means of disposal.restriction in means of disposal.