Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Alkylphenols (APs) are a class of anthropogenic organic chemicals that have recently come under attack as suspected endocrine disruptors. Hence, the critical need for a greater understanding of their behavior in the environment. APs present in the environment are derived from alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APnEO) which are heavily used in U.S. industry as well as some household products. APnEO are generally microbially degraded into APs. 4-Octylphenol (4-OP) was chosen as a model for this study in an effort to determine its relative partitioning between water and particulates. A better understanding of the partitioning of OP will facilitate prediction of the amount of OP free for transport in solution and available for uptake by organisms. Laboratory experiments were performed to establish batch sample isotherms for OP using artificial soils of varying organic material (OM) and varying pH. The partitioning coefficients (Kd) ranged from 1.7 to 21.0. The Kd values were then normalized to the amount of OM present in the soil yielding Koc values between 338- 581, which are lower than previously published values. This may indicate that 4-OP has a higher than expected mobility potential. Alternatively, the low values determined may be a function of the organic matter utilized.
Date Awarded
2002
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Robert C. Hale
Recommended Citation
Oliver, Jason, "pH and Organic Material Dependent Sorption of Octylphenol to an Artifical Soil" (2002). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 102.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/102
