Title: Study on primary metabolites and possible biodegradation pathways of nonylphenol

Authors: Rui-Xia Hao, Yi Zhang, Jian Lv, Xiao-Ying Zheng

Addresses: The College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China. ' The College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China. ' The College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China. ' The College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, China

Abstract: In this paper, the primary metabolites and possible biodegradation pathways of nonylphenol (NP) were analysed by two experimental methods and the interpretation of GC–MS results. One was that activated sludge degraded blank and spiking simulating wastewater for NP. Another was that a dominant bacteria group metabolised the medium contained NP as the only organic carbon source. The results show that the NP primary metabolites are a series of short-chain alkyl phenols with butyl, amyl or hexyls and benzene acetic acid. One of the biodegradation pathways for NP is that the long branches are first degraded into short methyl branches.

Keywords: nonylphenol; primary metabolites; biodegradation pathways; oestrogenic effect; activated sludge; wastewater; organic carbon; short-chain alkyl phenols.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2010.034231

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2010 Vol.42 No.1/2/3, pp.136 - 147

Published online: 30 Jul 2010 *

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