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Structural requirements for voltage-dependent block of muscle sodium channels by phenol derivatives.

We have studied the effects of four different phenol derivatives, with methyl and halogen substituents, on heterologously expressed human skeletal muscle sodium channels, in order to find structural determinants of blocking potency. All compounds blocked skeletal muscle sodium channels in a concentration-dependent manner. The methylated phenol 3-methylphenol and the halogenated phenol 4-chlorophenol blocked sodium currents on depolarization from -100 mV to 0 mV with IC(50) values of 2161 and 666 microM respectively. Methylation of the halogenated compound further increased potency, reducing the IC(50) to 268 microM in 2-methyl-4-chlorophenol and to 150 microM in 3,5-dimethyl-4-chlorophenol. Membrane depolarization before the test depolarization increased sodium channel blockade. When depolarizations were started from -70 mV or when a 2.5 s prepulse was introduced before the test pulse inducing slow inactivation, the IC(50) was reduced more than 3 fold in all compounds. The values of K(D) for the fast-inactivated state derived from drug-induced shifts in steady-state availability curves were 14 microM for 3,5-dimethyl-4-chlorophenol, 19 microM for 2-methyl-4-chlorophenol, 26 microM for 4-chlorophenol and 115 microM for 3-methylphenol. All compounds accelerated the current decay during depolarization and slowed recovery from fast inactivation. No relevant frequency-dependent block after depolarizing pulses applied at 10, 50 and 100 Hz was detected for any of the compounds. All the phenol derivatives that we examined are effective blockers of skeletal muscle sodium channels, especially in conditions that are associated with membrane depolarization. Blocking potency is increased by halogenation and by methylation with increasing numbers of methyl groups.

Cell Line↗

Anaerobic Degradation of Chloroaromatic Compounds in Aquatic Sediments under a Variety of Enrichment Conditions.

Anaerobic degradation of monochlorophenols and monochlorobenzoates in a variety of aquatic sediments was compared under four enrichment conditions. A broader range of compounds was degraded in enrichments inoculated with sediment exposed to industrial effluents. Degradation of chloroaromatic compounds was observed most often in methanogenic enrichments and in enrichments amended with 1 mM bromoethane sulfonic acid. Degradation was observed least often in enrichments with added nitrate or sulfate. The presence of 10 mM bromoethane sulfonic acid prevented or inhibited degradation of most compounds tested. Primary enrichments in which KNO(3) was periodically replenished to maintain enrichment characteristics degraded chlorobenzoates, but not chlorophenols. In contrast, primary enrichments in which Na(2)SO(4) was periodically replenished failed to degrade any chloroaromatic compounds. Upon transfer to fresh medium, none of the sulfate enrichments required the presence of Na(2)SO(4) for degradation, while only two nitrate enrichments required the presence of KNO(3) for degradation. As a class of compounds, chlorophenols were degraded more readily than chlorobenzoates. However, as individual compounds 3-chlorobenzoate, 2-chlorophenol, and 3-chlorophenol degradation was observed most often and with an equal frequency. Within the chlorophenol class, the relative order of degradability was ortho > meta > para, while that of chlorobenzoates was meta > ortho > para, In laboratory transfers, 2-chlorobenzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, and 2-chlorophenol degradation was most easily maintained, while degradation of para-chlorinated compounds was very difficult to maintain.

Journal Article↗

[Branch-specific detection of phenols and assessment of ground water solubility].

There are about 500 technically relevant phenolic compounds such as cresols, chlorophenols or nitrophenols. It is most preferable to determine phenols as single compounds via gas chromatography. Further, phenols can also be assayed as photometrically as an overall parameter (Phenolindex): however, no conclusions about specific compounds can be drawn from this type of test. Also this method is not as reliable for an hazard assessment as gas chromatography. First, not all phenols, for instance resorcinol or 1-naphthol can be determined with this method. Second, phenolic groups in humic substances, which do not constitute a threat for groundwater, are determined alongside environmentally relevant phenols using this method. In most cases, it is possible to deduce which phenols can be expected in the groundwater of contaminated sites from the type of industrial usage, such as chlorophenols and pulp bleaching or nitrophenols and the production of explosives. Phenols are formed during coal combustion for instance at cokemanufactures or gasworks. They are important raw materials for the chemical industry from which resins, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, pigments, explosives, and stabilizers are produced. During the 80's phenol, cresols, nonylphenols, anisidines, aminophenols, dihydroxybenzenes, and naphthols were manufactured in amounts exceeding 10,000 t/a. Also, phenolic compounds are used as additives in many areas for example as solvents in the electric industry, in sawmills, papermanufacture, electroplating of metal sheets, as photographic developers, as textile dyes, or for the tanning of hydes. Due to the formation and use of phenols at industrial sites, groundwater contaminations are possible via infiltration through the unsaturated zone. Especially at gasworks and ammunition factories, groundwater contaminations with phenols have become known. In the vicinity of railway tracks and associated facillities contaminations due to the use of pesticides or mineral oils are possible. Input of phenols on agricultural lands can be caused by pesticides, sewage sludge or manure. The groundwater downstream of landfills often contains phenol, chlorophenols, cresols, and xylenols. The formation of phenol from other organic contaminants as benzene in groundwater has been reported. The potential for mobilization of phenols in the saturated zone can be estimated from their physical and chemical properties. Especially low molecular weight phenols are easily mobilized due to their high solubility in water and low potential for accumulation. These compounds are: phenol, cresols, xylenols, chlorophenols, hydroxybenzenes, nitrophenols, anisidines, aminophenols, anisol, 2-phenoxyethanol, and thiophenol. The stability of phenols under laboratory conditions varies. The complete mineralization depends mainly on the experimental set-up, i.e. nutrients, temperature, and type of inocula. The anaerobic degradation of phenols is generally slower than the aerobic. Phenol is readily biodegradable under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In general, the biodegradability depends on the type, number and position of substitutes. Phenols with nitro-, alkyl-, or chlorosubstitutes are more recalcitrant than phenol itself. Our biodegradability test show that the decomposition of alkylphenols is determined by the length and branching of the alcyllic chain. Phenols with high contamination potential are chlorophenols, xylenols, and nitrophenols. These compounds are both mobile and recalcitrant in the saturated zone. Phenolic compounds of a medium contamination risk are dichlorophenols, trichlorophenols, cresols, and phenol because they are mobile but less stable in groundwater. These compounds are known contaminants in the groundwater at gasworks, landfills, and ammunition factories. Aminophenols, anisidines, tert-butylphenols, ethylphenols, hydroxybenzenes, and 2-phenoxyethanol also constite a potential hazard for groundwater; however, no contaminations with these compounds are known. Poisoning due to oral uptake of phenol contaminated ground- or drinking water have not been reported, which might be due to the pungent odor and taste phenolic compounds have even at very low concentrations (mg/L). Because of the taste problem, the German drinking water standard for phenols is 0.5 microgram/L. In Berlin, groundwater with phenol concentrations higher than 30 micrograms/L of alkylphenols or 2 micrograms/L of chlorophenols is considered contaminated.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Potential of two hydra species as standard toxicity test animals.

The potential for using pink hydra (Hydra vulgaris) and green hydra (Hydra viridissima) as a model invertebrate for the toxicity testing of xenobiotics was investigated. Test compounds were 4-chlorophenol, endosulfan, and copper. The reference toxicant 4-chlorophenol was used as a standard during toxicity testing to ensure the sensitivity of hydra did not change over time. Hydra had a low sensitivity to 4-chlorophenol and endosulfan compared to other freshwater species. The 96-h LC50 (SE) values for 4-chlorophenol and endosulfan were 32 mg/L (1.3) and 0.81 mg/L (0.1), respectively, for pink hydra, and 45 mg/L (6.1) and 0.67 mg/L (0.02), respectively, for green hydra. Based on population growth rates, the 6-day NOEC and LOEC results for pink hydra exposed to 4-chlorophenol and endosulfan were <1.1 and 1.1 mg/L, and 0.044 microg/L and 0.080 mg/L, respectively; results for green hydra were 10.3 and 22.3 mg/L, and 0.060 and 0.080 mg/L, respectively. Following exposure to copper, the 96-h LC50 (SE) values were 26 microg/L (3.4) for pink hydra and 8.5 microg/L (0.3) for green hydra, respectively. Based on population growth rates, the 7-day population growth NOEC and LOEC values for both pink and green hydra exposed to copper were 4 and 8 microg/L, respectively. Results indicate that hydra have the potential for use in acute and subchronic toxicity testing of inorganic toxicants, but have a low sensitivity to organic toxicants.

Algorithms↗

Urinary excretion of chlorinated phenols in saw-mill workers.

The excretion and conjugation of chlorophenols were studied in workers exposed to 2,4,6-tri-, 2,3,4,6-tetra-, and pentachlorophenolates, the main components of the chlorophenolate product manufactured by direct chlorination of phenol. The workers were exposed in two different saw mills in which sodium chlorophenolate was used for treatment of lumber during the warm season. Urine specimens were collected at the end of the treatment season as well as at the start of a new treatment period in the spring. Serum specimens were collected towards the end of the treatment period. Total and unconjugated chlorophenols were analyzed with a gas chromatographic method. The maximal concentrations of urinary 2,4,6-tri-, 2,3,4,6-tetra- and pentachlorophenol at the end of the lumber-treatment period were 1-11.8, 3.4-17.3, and 0.2-0.9 mumol/l, respectively, and the average apparent half-times calculated using a one-compartment model were 18 h, 4.3 days and 16 days, respectively. For 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, the data of some subjects showed a better fit with a two-compartment model; the corresponding half-times were 5.3 and 26 days. During the continuous-exposure period the average serum levels of tetra- and pentachlorophenol were rather similar before and after the working day: 2.79 +/- 1.78 mumol/l for tetrachlorophenol and 0.85 +/- 0.4 mumol/l for pentachlorophenol. Renal clearance values for tetra- and pentachlorophenol were related to urine flow and indicated tubular reabsorption. At low concentrations, sulfate conjugation was dominant. With increasing chlorophenol concentrations the proportion of glucuronide conjugation was increased, especially for pentachlorophenol.

Chlorophenols↗

Utilization and cooxidation of chlorinated phenols by Pseudomonas sp. B 13.

Pseudomonas sp. B13 was grown in continuous culture on 4-chlorophenol as the only carbon source. Maximum growth rate of 0.4 h(-1) was observed at a substrate concentration of greater than 0.01 mM and less than 0.15 mM. In addition to the enzymes of phenol catabolism, high specific 1,2-dioxygenase activities with chlorocatechols as substrates were found. The isomeric monochlorinated phenols were also totally degraded by 4-chlorophenol grown cells. (+)-2,5-Dihydro-4-methyl- and (+)-2,5-dihydro-2-methyl-5-oxo-furan-2-acetic acid were formed in high yield as dead-end catabolites from cooxidation of cresoles. Several dichlorophenols except 2,6-dichlorophenol were removed from the culture fluid by chlorophenol grown cells. Ring cleavage of chlorinated catechols were shown to be one of the critical steps in chlorophenol catabolism. A catabolic pathway for isomeric chlorophenols is discussed.

Catechols↗

Microbial removal of chlorinated phenols during aerobic treatment of effluents from radiata pine kraft pulps bleached with chlorine-based chemicals, with or without hemicellulases.

The removal of chlorophenolic compounds from kraft mill effluents bleached with chlorine (cBKME) or chlorine plus hemicellulases (bBKME) was studied in reactors of aerobic treatment lagoons. In these laboratory models, a stable microbial population removed biochemical oxygen demand at similar rates of the mill lagoon. Complete removal of nine chlorophenols and chloroguaiacols during microbial treatment of these effluents was detected by gas chromatography. Abiotic removal was only observed with 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. There were no significant differences in degradative ability between microorganisms acclimated to grow in reactors fed with cBKME or bBKME. The latter had a lower content of adsorbable organic halogen and chlorophenols than cBKME. Microorganisms acclimated to cBKME or bBKME were only able to grow on phenol or guaiacol as sole carbon source. However, these microorganisms removed (0.1-0.5 mM) 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate with BKME as primary carbon source. Under these conditions, 2,4,6- and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 4,5-dichloroguaiacol, 4,5,6-trichloroguaiacol and tetrachloroguaiacol were not removed. These results suggest that the microbial removal of bleaching chlorophenols and chloroguaiacols during aerobic treatment, probably takes place only because of their very low concentration (1-200 ppb) in BKME.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗

Association between soft tissue sarcomas, malignant lymphomas, and phenoxy herbicides/chlorophenols: evidence from occupational cohort studies.

Some case-control studies have reported a significant association between occupational use of phenoxy herbicides and chlorophenols and soft-tissue sarcomas and malignant lymphomas. However, persons who spray or apply these substances are concomitantly exposed to other potentially carcinogenic chemicals and oncogenic viruses, which have been found or suspected to play a role in the etiology of these tumors. No study has thoroughly controlled for these other exposures, some of which have been shown to be independently associated with these tumors even after controlling for exposure to phenoxy acids or chlorophenols. On the other hand, it has been found that an observed risk from exposure to phenoxy herbicides disappeared on controlling for some of these concomitant exposures in the rare instance this was attempted. Also, on several occasions, an association has been observed with occupations in which exposure to phenoxys and chlorophenols may occur, but not with the compounds themselves. Accordingly, a detailed review of the evidence from occupational cohort studies was conducted, to see if it corroborates that from case-control studies. It was found that the evidence does not unequivocally incriminate phenoxys and chlorophenols as a cause of these tumors. The results obtained with cohort studies of sprayers and applicators do not corroborate the association reported among this occupational group, in case-control studies. It is possible that the suspected association may well be due, partly or wholly, to one or more of the other concomitant exposures. However, in view of the fact that the majority of the cohorts need further follow-up to be informative, it is concluded that further studies of these cohorts are required before it can be determined whether or not these tumors are caused by exposure to phenoxy acids and chlorophenols.

Agriculture↗

Hydroxyl free radical reactivity toward aqueous chlorinated phenols.

Second-order kinetic constants (k(OH,S)) for the hydroxyl free radical attack on a series of nine chlorophenols (2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol, 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol) in aqueous solution were determined by means of the competitive kinetics method. Experimental values ranged from 3.5 x 10(09)M(-1)s(-1) for pentachlorophenol to 8.2 x 10(09)M(-1)s(-1) for 2-chlorophenol. A general trend of lower kinetic constant values with higher degree of chlorination was observed and tested with four different correlations using Hammett's sigma values, the number of chlorine substituents on the aromatic ring, and estimated diffusion coefficients. These correlations were statistically significant (alpha=0.01), although the regression coefficients were moderate (R(2)<0.6). Statistical analysis indicated that all correlations were equally valid. This report includes second-order kinetic constants not previously reported for six chlorophenols, and also provides the means to estimate constants for other chlorophenols for which no experimental data are available.

Chlorine↗

Intermediate inhibition in the heterogeneous UV-catalysis using a TiO2 suspension system.

Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetic expression was used to develop a basic mathematical model, which could describe the inhibition of intermediates in the photocatalysis of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) in a suspended TiO2 system. Results showed that the photocatalytic oxidation of 2-chlorophenol followed the L-H type behavior and the reaction by-products displayed an inhibiting effect on the degradation rate. The inhibition was estimated by comparing to observed and estimated half-lives. The higher the initial concentration of 2-chlorophenol, the higher the inhibition of photocatalytic reaction. The L-H kinetic has been modified slightly in this study to rationalize the contrast of inhibited behavior and to improve in favor of a surface reaction. The concentrations of 2-chlorophenol were investigated ranging from 7.78 x 10(-5) to 7.78 x 10(-4) mol l(-1). The degradation of 2-chlorophenol in this reaction condition approximates a first-order kinetics to near-complete degradation. Calculated kinetic profiles are in an excellent agreement with the experimental observation. The results of the theoretical analysis can be used to estimate reaction rates in different initial concentrations of target compound.

Chlorophenols↗

Decomposition of hazardous organic materials in the solidification/stabilization process using catalytic-activated carbon.

The application of a catalytic-activated carbon to the solidification/stabilization (S/S) process for immobilization of phenol and 2-chlorophenol and catalytic decomposition was investigated. The effect of the catalytic-activated carbon, in amounts of 0.25-1% (by dry sand wt.), on the leaching of phenol and 2-chlorophenol was studied. H2O2 was added as a source of oxygen in the amounts of 1 or 5%, with respect to liquid solution weight. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leaching tests showed that adding the catalytic-activated carbon to the S/S matrix significantly reduced the leachability of both phenol and 2-chlorophenol. Only trace amounts of phenol were found in the leaching solution, while the concentration of 2-chlorophenol was below the detection limit of the gas chromatography (GC). Without addition of the catalytic-activated carbon, 87% of the phenol and 92% of the 2-chlorophenol leached. Additional tests on TCLP leachate solutions using GC-mass spectrometry indicated the existence of simple, less hazardous, hydrocarbons, including alcohol. Catalytic-activated carbons treated with phenol in the presence of H2O2 were also analyzed using time of flight-secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS). Results indicate that the phenol aromatic ring was broken by the catalytic reaction.

Adsorption↗

Degradation of 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol at low temperature and low dioxygen concentrations by phylogenetically different groundwater and bioreactor bacteria.

Effects of low temperature and low oxygen partial pressure on the occurrence and activity of 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol degrading bacteria in a boreal chlorophenol contaminated groundwater and a full-scale fluidized-bed bioreactor were studied using four polychlorophenol degrading bacterial isolates of different phylogenetic backgrounds. These included an alpha-proteobacterial Sphingomonas sp. strain MT1 isolated from the full-scale bioreactor and three isolates from the contaminated groundwater which were identified as beta-proteobacterial Herbaspirillum sp. K1, a Gram-positive bacterium with high G + C content Nocardioides sp. K44 and an alpha-proteobacterial Sphingomonas sp. K74. The Sphingomonas strains K74 and MT1 and Nocardioides sp. K44 degraded 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol as the sole carbon and energy sources. Close to stoichiometric inorganic chloride release with the 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol removal and the absence of methylation products indicated mineralization. Tetrachlorophenol degradation by the Herbaspirillum sp. K1 was enhanced by yeast extract, malate, glutamate, pyruvate, peptone and casitone. At 8 degrees C, Sphingomonas sp. K74 had the highest specific degradation rate (mu(max) = 4.9 x 10(-2) mg h(-1) cell(-1)) for 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol. The Nocardioides strain K44 had the highest affinity (K(s) = 0.46 mg l(-1)) fortetrachlorophenol. K1 and MT1 grew microaerophilically in semisolid glucose medium. Furthermore, the growth of MT1 was inhibited in liquid glucose medium at high oxygen partial pressure indicating sensitivity to accumulating toxic oxygen species. On the other hand, trichlorophenol degradation was not affected by oxygen concentration (2-21%). The isolates K44, K74 and MT1, with optimum growth temperatures between 23 and 25 degrees C, degraded tetrachlorophenol faster at 8 degrees C than at room temperature indicating distinctly different temperature optima for chlorophenol degradation and growth on complex media. These results show efficient polychlorophenol degradation by the isolates at the boreal groundwater conditions, i.e., at low temperature and low oxygen concentrations. Differences in chlorophenol degradation and sensitivities to chlorophenols and oxygen among the isolates indicate that the phylogenetically different chlorophenol degraders have found different niches in the contaminated groundwater and thus potential for contaminant degradation under a variety of saturated subsurface conditions.

Bacteria↗

Induction characteristics of reductive dehalogenation in the ortho-halophenol-respiring bacterium, Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans.

Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C dehalogenates ortho-substituted di- and mono-halogenated phenols and couples this activity to growth. Reductive dehalogenation activity has been reported to be inducible, however, this process has not been studied extensively. In this study, the induction of reductive dehalogenation activity by strain 2CP-C is characterized. Constitutive 2-chlorophenol dechlorination activity occurs in non-induced fumarate-grown cells, with rates averaging 0.138 micromol of Cl- h(-1) mg of protein(-1). Once induced, these cultures dechlorinate 2- chlorophenol (2-CP) at rates as high as 116 micromol of Cl(-1) h(-1) mg of protein(-1). Dechlorination of 2-CP is induced by phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, and 2-bromophenol. Of the substrates tested, 2-bromophenol shows the highest induction potential, yielding double the 2-chlorophenol dechlorination rate when compared to other inducing substrates. No induced dechlorination is observed at concentrations less than 5 microM 2-CP. When fumarate cultures were diluted 100-fold, fumarate reduction rates were reduced roughly according to the dilution factor, while dechlorination rates were similar in fumarate grown cells amended with 2-CP and cells diluted 100-fold prior to the addition of chlorophenol. This indicates that the majority of the fumarate-grown cells in late log phase were not induced when exposed to inducing substrates such as 2-CP. This observation may have ramifications on the success of bioaugmentation using halorespiring bacteria, which traditionally relies on growing cultures using more readily utilized substrates. The rapid dechlorination rate and unique induction pattern also make strain 2CP-C a promising model organism for understanding the regulation of reductive dehalogenation at the enzymatic level.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Variation of toxicity during the ozonation of monochlorophenolic solutions.

This study investigates the variation of toxicity during ozonation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 3-chlorophenol (3-CP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) in neutral condition. Acute toxicity of pure chlorophenols (CPs) and their ozonated intermediates was evaluated by Microtox assay. The results revealed that the intermediates of oxidized CPs induced new toxicity during the early stage of ozonation, and the ozonated 2-CP showed higher degree of toxicity increase than 3-CP and 4-CP. The maximum toxicity normally occurred before the maximum color intensity was monitored, while ozone dosage applied was within 1 mg of ozone per mg of initial CPs. This increasing toxicity was mainly contributed from ozonated intermediates. Formation of chlorocatechols, chloromuconic acids and hydroxylated/chlorinated dimeric compounds were detected in ozonation of CPs. These chlorinated by-products may cause greater toxicity than the parent chlorophenols. The required ozone dosage to detoxify the CPs solution into a complete non-toxic condition follows the order: 4-CP > 3-CP > 2-CP.

Chlorophenols↗

Structures of the monofluoro- and monochlorophenols at low temperature and high pressure.

2-Fluorophenol, 3-fluorophenol and 3-chlorophenol were recrystallized from frozen solids at 260, 263 and 283 K. All compounds were also crystallized by the application of high pressure (0.36, 0.12 and 0.10 GPa). While 3-fluorophenol and 3-chlorophenol yielded the same phases under both conditions, different polymorphs were obtained for 2-fluorophenol. 4-Chlorophenol was crystallized both from the melt and from benzene to yield two different ambient-pressure polymorphs; crystallization from the melt at 0.02 GPa yielded the same phase as from benzene at ambient pressure. 3-Fluorophenol is unusual in forming a hydrogen-bonded chain along a 2(1) screw axis. Such behaviour is usually only observed for small alcohols, but here it appears to be stabilized by intermolecular C-H...F hydrogen-bond formation. 3-Chlorophenol is a more typical large alcohol and emulates a fourfold screw axis with two independent molecules positioned about a 2(1) axis, although there are significant distortions from this ideal geometry. The two phases of 4-chlorophenol consist of chains or rings connected by C-Cl...H interactions. The low-temperature and high-pressure polymorphs of 2-fluorophenol consist of chains of molecules connected through OH...OH hydrogen bonds; while inter-chain C-H...F interactions are significant at high pressure, there are none in the low-temperature form.

Chlorophenols↗

Dechlorination by combined electrochemical reduction and oxidation.

Chlorophenols are typical priority pollutants listed by USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The removal of chlorophenol could be carried out by a combination of electrochemical reduction and oxidation method. Results showed that it was feasible to degrade contaminants containing chlorine atoms by electrochemical reduction to form phenol, which was further degraded on the anode by electrochemical oxidation. Chlorophenol removal rate was more than 90% by the combined electrochemical reduction and oxidation at current of 6 mA and pH 6. The hydrogen atom is a powerful reducing agent that reductively dechlorinates chlorophenols. The instantaneous current efficiency was calculated and the results indicated that cathodic reduction was the main contributor to the degradation of chlorophenol.

Chlorine↗

A source inventory and budget for chlorinated dioxins and furans in the United Kingdom environment.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and -furans (PCDFs) are ubiquitous in the environment. This paper estimates the present UK environmental loading of PCDD/Fs in soils, vegetation, air, water and sediments. Greater than 95% of the estimated total PCDD/F loading of 5.7 t in the UK environment is present in surface soils. Annual emissions from known primary sources of PCDDs and PCDFs are estimated. The most important of these include: municipal waste incinerator stack emissions (10.9 kg sigma PCDD/F per annum); industrial (7.7 kg/year) and domestic (5.1 kg/year) combustion of coal; clinical waste incinerators (1.7 kg/year); volatilisation from chlorophenol-treated substrates (1.7 kg/year) and combustion of leaded petrol by motor vehicles (0.7 kg/year). These sources are generally easy to define and reasonably reliable national estimates can be obtained. More difficult to quantify are secondary releases from the large UK stock of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and PCP-treated products, which may represent quantitatively one of the most important sources of total PCDD/Fs to the environment. Estimates of homologue-specific emissions indicate that combustion processes represent a far more significant source of tetra and penta CDD/Fs than do chlorophenols, which in turn constitute a greater source of hepta- and octachlorinated congeners. Direct emission of PCDD/Fs into the atmosphere from combustion processes facilitates their atmospheric transport to remote locations. This, coupled with the diffuse nature of combustion processes, means that the effects of PCDD/F contamination originating from anthropogenic combustion are more widespread than those from the use and disposal of chlorophenols. Contamination from chlorophenols will be more localised, owing to the insignificance of direct atmospheric release pathways for this source. Although there is reasonable agreement between the estimated current annual flux and the present UK environmental loading of PCDDs and PCDFs, a large discrepancy exists between the sum of the annual contributions from primary sources and this annual flux. Whilst the existence of an as yet unidentified source or sources or gross underestimates of known sources cannot be excluded, it is proposed that much of this discrepancy may be accounted for by secondary releases from the use and disposal of chlorophenols and the long-range transport, continued remobilisation and subsequent redeposition of PCDDs and PCDFs already present in the environment. Despite limited evidence for a modest decline in levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in some environmental compartments over the last 20 years, the environmental persistence of these chemicals means that they will remain in the UK environment for the foreseeable future despite recent action to curb primary emissions.

Air Pollutants↗

Sonochemical degradation of aromatic organic pollutants.

This work examines the use of ultrasound to mineralize 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, [aryl-2H3]2,4-dichlorophenol, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol, 4-fluorophenol, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene in dilute aqueous solution. Mineralization rates were determined as a function of substrate structure and concentration, bulk phase temperature, pH and the presence of co-solutes such as detergents and humic acids. All substrates were found to degrade sonochemically, as evidenced by the release of Cl- and NO3- respectively. Product analyses by GC-MS, HPLC, and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) indicated mineralization with little formation of organic byproducts, a significant advantage over other remediation methods. Chloride release from chlorophenols was approximately proportional to substrate total chlorine content, irrespective of structural differences, and reached 80% of the theoretical limit. Fluoride release from 4-fluorophenol was ca. 10-fold lower than that of chloride from 4-chlorophenol. Changes in the bulk phase temperature from 9.5 to 34 degrees C, and 12.5 to 30 degrees C, respectively, were of little consequence to observed mineralization rates for nitroaromatics and chlorophenols. A significant mineralization rate increase resulted from sonication of 4-chlorophenol in acidified media. Additions of amphiphilic co-solutes resulted in modest, but statistically significant, sonolysis enhancements.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗