Investigations of Chlorinated Thiophenes: A Group of Bioaccumulable Compounds Identified in the Effluents from Kraft Bleaching

Abstract

By comparison with six synthesized standards the identity of the following chlorinated thiophenes were established in spent kraft bleach liquors: 2,3,4-trichlorothiophene and 3-formyl and 3-acetyl di- and trichlorothiophene. The synthesized standards were found to be isomers of the thiophenes identified in the effluents. A large number of lipophilic terpene derivatives with from one to four chlorine atoms were also detected. The synthesized chlorinated thiophenes were found to have partion coefficients (Log Pow) between 3.8 and 5.6. The compounds were found to bioaccumulate in bleak. About one third of the concentrations at the end of the exposure period remained in the fish after an elimination period of 14 days. The compounds were moderately toxic towards the harpacticoid Nitocraspinipes. Three of the compounds showed mutagenic activity.

Identification of novel chlorinated monoterpenes formed during kraft pulp bleaching of Pinus radiata

“…Small amounts of these compounds were found in the bleaching effluents of the mill under study. Another group of chlorinated monoterpenes of unknown structure and with molecular masses and formulas different from those reported here have recently been reported (11). Therefore, it would seem that these chlorinated monoterpene hydrocarbons and alcohols are novel.…”

A Strategy for Evaluating Organic Compounds in the Aquatic Environment

“…Bleachery effluents therefore contain a structurally diverse range of low molecular weight organochlorine compounds. Because of concern about the discharge of such compounds into the environment, and specific evidence for the toxicity-including the genotoxicity (5-3) of some of them-extensive effort has been devoted to their identification (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19).…”