Persistent organic chemicals in sewage effluents. 2. Quantitative determinations of nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates by glass capillary gas chromatography

Abstract

Nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates with one and two oxyethylene groups have been quantitatively determined in the effluents of six mechanical-biological sewage treatment plants. In three plants total concentrations of nonylphenolic compounds in the effluents ranged from 36 to 202 μg/L, representing from 0.5% to 2.3% of the total residual dissolved organic carbon. In three plants operated at low loading conditions nonylphenolic compounds were not detectable (<10 μg/L). These compounds are believed to be refractory metabolites of nonionic surfactants of the nonylphenol polyethoxylate type. In particular, the nonylphenols must be considered as compounds of high toxicity to aquatic organisms.