Octanol-water partition coefficient of benzo(a)pyrene: measurement, calculation, and environmental implications

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01607504· OSTI ID:6832678

Mallon, B J; Harrison, F L

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a potent carcinogen produced in significant quantities during pyrolysis of such substances as coal, wood, and cigarettes. Several researchers have shown that the lipophilic storage and soil sediment accumulation of many organic solutes is proportional to the partitioning between octanol-1 and water. The octanol-water partition coefficient (P) is defined as P = C/sub o//C/sub w/, where C/sub o/ and C/sub w/ are the concentration of the solute in n-octanol and water. Considerable data are available demonstrating that P values measured in the laboratory can be used to predict the environmental behavior of organic pollutants. Literature searches reveal that calculated, but not measured, log P values are reported for BaP. This laboratory study was initiated to define better the log P of BaP.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6832678
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 32:3; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALCOHOLS
AROMATICS
BENZOPYRENE
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CALCULATION METHODS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
OCTANOLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTITION
SPECTROSCOPY
WATER