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Potential for 4‐ n ‐nonylphenol biodegradation in stream sediments
Author(s) -
Bradley Paul M.,
Barber Larry B.,
Kolpin Dana W.,
McMahon Peter B.,
Chapelle Francis H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1897/07-333r.1
Subject(s) - microcosm , biodegradation , environmental chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , anoxic waters , sediment , nonylphenol , water column , biochemical oxygen demand , chemistry , chemical oxygen demand , wastewater , environmental science , environmental engineering , geology , nitrogen , oceanography , organic chemistry , paleontology
Abstract The potential for in situ biodegradation of 4‐nonylphenol (4‐NP) was investigated in three hydrologically distinct streams impacted by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the United States. Microcosms were prepared with sediments from each site and amended with [U‐ring‐ 14 C]4‐ n ‐nonylphenol (4‐ n ‐NP) as a model test substrate. Microcosms prepared with sediment collected upstream of the WWTP outfalls and incubated under oxic conditions showed rapid and complete mineralization of [U‐ring‐ 14 C]4‐n‐NP to 14 CO 2 in all three systems. In contrast, no mineralization of [U‐ring‐ 14 C]4‐ n ‐NP was observed in these sediments under anoxic (methanogenic) conditions. The initial linear rate of [U‐ring‐ 14 C]4‐ n ‐NP mineralization in sediments from upstream and downstream of the respective WWTP outfalls was inversely correlated with the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of the streambed sediments. These results suggest that the net supply of dissolved oxygen to streambed sediments is a key determinant of the rate and extent of 4‐NP biodegradation in stream systems. In the stream systems considered by the present study, dissolved oxygen concentrations in the overlying water column (8–10 mg/L) and in the bed sediment pore water (1–3 mg/L at a depth of 10 cm below the sediment–water interface) were consistent with active in situ 4‐NP biodegradation. These results suggest WWTP procedures that maximize the delivery of dissolved oxygen while minimizing the release of BOD to stream receptors favor efficient biodegradation of 4‐NP contaminants in wastewater‐impacted stream environments.