4-Nonylphenol in Sewage Sludge: Accumulation of Toxic Metabolites from Nonionic Surfactants

Abstract

Anaerobically treated sewage sludge was found to contain extraordinarily high concentrations of 4-nonylphenol, a metabolite derived from nonionic surfactants of the nonylphenol polyethoxylate type. Concentrations in activated sewage sludge, in mixed primary and secondary sludge, and in aerobically stabilized sludge were substantially lower, suggesting that the formation of 4-nonylphenol is favored under mesophilic anaerobic conditions. Because 4-nonylphenol may be highly toxic to aquatic life, further research is needed on the fate of 4-nonylphenol after sludge is disposed of in the environment.

Influence of Operating Parameters on the Biodegradation of Steroid Estrogens and Nonylphenolic Compounds during Biological Wastewater Treatment Processes

“…The 41 effluents discharged from sewage treatment works (STWs) are major sources of these 42 anthropogenic chemicals to the aquatic environment (3). In addition, APEOs biodegrade 43 during wastewater treatment to generate the parent alkylphenols (AP), octylphenol (OP) 44 and nonylphenol (NP), the shorter chain mono to triethoxylates (NP 1 EO, NP 2 EO and 45 NP 3 EO) and a range of carboxylated intermediate by-products (4,5) which are more 46 estrogenic than their parent substances (5)(6)(7)(8). In the aquatic environment these 47 compounds are amenable to further biotransformation and bioconcentration (9) and may 48 potentially bioaccumulate (10); as a consequence of this behaviour complex issues for 49 environmental health arise (2).…”

Exposure to pastures fertilised with sewage sludge disrupts bone tissue homeostasis in sheep

“…However, sludge contains high concentrations of many environmental pollutants including endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as alkyl phenols, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), dioxins, pesticides and toxic metals (Brunner et al, 1988;Ghanem et al, 2007;Giger et al, 1984;Stevens et al, 2003). Since these are known to exert adverse effects on animal and human physiology and health (IEH, 1999;Toppari et al, 1996), potential effects on wildlife, domestic animals and humans are of concern.…”

Modelling the fate of nonylphenolic compounds in the Seine River — part 1: Determination of in-situ attenuation rate constants

“…Among these compounds, the nonylphenol 3 ethoxylates (NPnEO), and especially the 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), are of prime interest since concentrations of 4 several hundred nanogrammes per liter were measured in all environmental and urban waters (Giger et al, 1984;5 Ahel et al, 1994). 4-NP is more estrogenic and more toxic than NPnEO (Soto et al, 1991).…”