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Photodegradation of the Endocrine‐Disrupting Chemical 4‐Nonylphenol in Biosolids Applied to Soil
Author(s) -
Xia Kang,
Jeong Chang Yoon
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2004.1568
Subject(s) - biosolids , environmental chemistry , nonylphenol , photodegradation , chemistry , environmental science , sewage sludge , environmental engineering , sewage , organic chemistry , photocatalysis , catalysis
There is increasing concern about the environmental fate and impact of biosolids‐associated anthropogenic organic chemicals, among which 4‐nonylphenol (4‐NP) is one of the most studied chemicals. This is primarily because 4‐NP is an endocrine disruptor and has been frequently detected in environmental samples. Due to its high hydrophobicity, 4‐NP has high affinity for biosolids. Land application of 4‐NP–containing biosolids could potentially introduce large quantities of this chemical into the environment. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of artificial sunlight on 4‐NP degradation in biosolids applied to soil. When exposed to artificial sunlight for 30 d, the top‐5‐mm layer of biosolids showed a 55% reduction of 4‐NP, while less than 15% of the 4‐NP was degraded when the biosolids were kept in the dark. Our results indicate that sensitized photolysis reaction plays an important role in reducing the levels of 4‐NP in land‐applied biosolids. Surface application rather than soil incorporation of biosolids could be effective in reducing biosolids‐associated organic chemicals that can be degraded through photolysis reactions. However, the risks of animal ingestion, foliar deposition, and runoff should also be evaluated when biosolids are applied on the soil surface.