title: Comparison of Biodegradation of Nonylphenol Propoxylates with Usage of Two Different Sources of Activated Sludge.
abstract: Aerobic biodegradation behaviour of nonylphenol propoxylates was investigated in two tests with different sewage sludge as inocula. The samples containing target compounds were pre-concentrated using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and analysed with the use of high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Both primary biodegradation and formation of different biodegradation by-products were studied. Primary biodegradation of nonylphenol propoxylates was relatively slow and reached only about 70 % in over 70 days from the start of the tests. The biodegradation by-products from both oxidative and non-oxidative pathways were found. In the non-oxidative route, shortening of the propoxy chain was observed. In the oxidative pathway carboxylic acids and ketones were identified. The biodegradation by-products identified with the use of mass spectrometric detection also persisted for many days.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zgoła-Grześkowiak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grześkowiak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szymański
keywords: Biodegradation; Municipal sewage treatment plant; Nonylphenol propoxylates; Rural sewage treatment plant