DISTRIBUTION OF ALKYLPHENOL COMPOUNDS IN GREAT-LAKES SEDIMENTS, UNITED-STATES AND CANADA

Alkylphenol polyethoxylates are a major class of nonionic surfactants that are microbially degraded in sewage treatment plants (STPs) and se diments to more toxic and hydrophobic alkylphenols. Recent data on the estrogenic activity of alkylphenols has prompted interest in the dist ribution of these compounds in the aquatic environment. Sediment sampl es were collected from several sites (n = 28) at industrialized and pr istine regions of Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, USA and Can ada, and analyzed for concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (NP) and 4-(tert )-octylphenol (OP). Also, sludge samples were taken from a secondary S TP in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, Sediment and sludge samples and analyti cal standards were prepared for analysis by gas chromatography-mass sp ectrometry in selected ion mode by combined acetylation and supercriti cal fluid extraction. Concentrations of NP were up to 37 mu g/g in sed iments and >300 mu g/g in the sewage sludge. Concentrations of OP were up to 23 mu g/g in sediment and 21 mu g/g in the sewage sludge. These data indicate that alkylphenols are distributed widely in sediments i n the lower Great Lakes. However, concentrations of NP were present at high (mu g/g) levels only in sediments near urban and industrialized centers.