Biodegradation of [(14)C] ring-labeled nonylphenol ethoxylate.
Nonylphenol (NP) and the 9-mole ethoxylate of nonylphenol (NPE9) were synthesized with a uniform radioactive (14)C label in the aromatic ring. The [(14)C]NP isomer distribution and [(14)C]NPE9 oligomer distribution closely matched that of commercial NPE9. Biodegradation of [(14)C]NPE9 was examined under conditions simulating a river water environment, and changes in the oligomer distribution and mineralization to (14)CO(2) were monitored for 128 days. Over 40% of the [(14)C]NPE aromatic ring carbon was converted to (14)CO(2) and another 21% was incorporated into the biomass. Primary degradation of NPE (conversion to metabolites other than NP, NPE ethoxylates, and NPE carboxylates) was estimated to be 87-97%. NP was a minor metabolite, accounting for less than 0.4% of the initial NPE. These studies demonstrate that the phenolic ring of NPE is opened, metabolized, and mineralized in the aquatic environment.
Naylor
C G
CG
Huntsman Corporation, 8103 Forest Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78759, USA. chknaylor@aol.com
Staples
C A
CA
Klecka
G M
GM
Williams
J B
JB
Varineau
P T
PT
Cady
C
C
D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003902:Detergents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003902:Detergents; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C021754:terics; C025256:nonylphenol