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Partition of Nonylphenol and Related Compounds Among Different Aquatic Compartments in Tiber River (Central Italy)

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Abstract

Nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol mono- and di-ethoxylate (NP1EO, NP2EO) and bisphenol A (BPA) were determined in water, suspended particulate matter (s.p.m.) and bed sediment collected from the most polluted stretch of Tiber river (Italy) in the neighbourhood of Rome. Analytes were recovered from water samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Si–C18 cartridges and analysed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Solid samples were extracted by using an aqueous solution of the non-ionic surfactant Tween 80.

Results indicated that 2–42% of NP, 9–45% of NP1EO, 11–18% of NP2EO and 4–62% of BPA respectively occurred in the suspended phase. In general, for all compounds a higher affinity for s.p.m. than for bed sediments was observed, reflecting differences in the nature of particles and in their sorption capacity for organic micro-pollutants. The partition of target compounds in river compartments was affected by differences in hydrological conditions between the two sampling campaigns. Run-off from the basin or resuspension/redissolution from sediments was an important source of nonylphenol and bisphenol A during high discharge regimes. Partition coefficients of compounds (log K oc ) between water and s.p.m. were calculated under stable flow condition. K oc values, experimentally measured in the river, were higher than those predicted by K ow , implying that specific chemical interaction could occur in the sorption mechanisms for these group of compounds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Research Institute-CNR, via Reno 1, 00198, Roma, Italy

    Luisa Patrolecco, Silvio Capri, Silvia De Angelis & Romano Pagnotta

  2. Water Research Institute-CNR, via della Mornera 25, 20047, Brugherio, MI, Italy

    Stefano Polesello & Sara Valsecchi

Authors
  1. Luisa Patrolecco
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  2. Silvio Capri
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  3. Silvia De Angelis
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  4. Romano Pagnotta
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  5. Stefano Polesello
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  6. Sara Valsecchi
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Correspondence to Luisa Patrolecco.

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Patrolecco, L., Capri, S., Angelis, S.D. et al. Partition of Nonylphenol and Related Compounds Among Different Aquatic Compartments in Tiber River (Central Italy). Water Air Soil Pollut 172, 151–166 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-005-9067-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-005-9067-9

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