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Aerobic biodegradation of cumene: An ecocore study

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)
; ;  [1]
  1. Roy F. Weston, Inc., West Chester, PA (United States)
A microcosm study was conducted to determine the mineralization and disappearance of cumene (isopropylbenzene) in an aerobic freshwater sediment/water test system. Ecocores constructed of glass and Teflon were filled with intact sediment cores and river water. [[sup 14]C]-cumene was added to the water phase, and the ecocores were incubated in the dark at 23 C with periodic aeration. Volatile organics and CO[sub 2] released to the ecocore headspace were trapped in separate impingers. In one experiment, ecocores were sacrificed after 45d of incubation, with removal by volatilization and biodegradation accounting for the majority of [sup 14]C initially added as cumene. In this experiment, cumene was mineralized to the extent of 47.2, 42.1, and 25.7% at cumene test concentrations of 2.5, 12.5, and 25 mg/L, respectively. In the second experiment the test concentration was 2.5 mg/L. Triplicate active ecocores and a poisoned control were sacrificed at days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10. After 10d, the mean extent of mineralization was 46.9%. The first-odor mineralization rate constant at the test concentration of 2.5 mg/L was calculated to be 0.02 day[sup [minus]1] with a correlation coefficient (R[sup 2]) of 0.83.
OSTI ID:
6382187
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English