DETERMINATION OF NONYLPHENOL AND NONYLPHENOL ETHOXYLATES AS THEIR PENTAFLUOROBENZOATES IN WATER, SEWAGE-SLUDGE AND BIOTA

A method has been developed for the determination of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates containing one to three ethoxy units in water, sludge and biota. After isolation the substances are converted into their corresponding pentafluorobenzoyl derivatives and quantified by GC/ECD or GC/MS. Results from investigations of secondary sludge from eight municipal sewage treatment plants in Sweden revealed concentrations of 4-nonylphenol from 26 to 1100 mg/kg d.m. An uptake study on blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) was carried out near the waste water outlet of a manufacturer of nonylphenol ethoxylates. The concentrations of 4-nonylphenol in the mussels ranged from 0.20 to 0.40 μg/g wet weight. © 1990.