title: Biodegradation of a nonylphenol ethoxylate by the autochthonous microflora in lake water with observations on the influence of light.
abstract: Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APE) are routinely used as additives in pesticide formulations. Biodegradation of APEs results in the accumulation of persistent short chain mono-, di- and tri-ethoxylates (AP1EO, AP2EO AP3EO) that are more toxic than the parent compounds and potentially oestrogenic. Accumulation of persistent APE metabolites in shallow or ephemeral waters may pose a hazard to aquatic fauna. This study has followed the degradation and formation of individual oligomers in freshwater in static die-away tests with and without illumination. Over 33 days in darkness there was a progressive and complete loss of long chain oligomers (NP8-17EO), transient increases and subsequent loss of short to medium chain oligomers (NP4-7EO), and large persistent increases (approximately 1000%) in short chain oligomers (NP1-3EO). In the presence of illumination, biodegradation was retarded and heterotrophic bacterial proliferation was inhibited. After 33 days there was complete loss of long chain oligomers (NP9-17EO), incomplete loss of medium chain oligomers (NP6-8EO) and increases in short chain oligomers (NP1-5EO).
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Biology, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia, Australia. mannr@ses.curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Boddy
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D010575:Pesticides; C021754:terics