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Title: Transformation of chlorinated phenols and anilines in the presence of humic acid

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Quality

Incubations of chlorinated phenols and anilines with oxidoreductive catalysts (peroxidase, laccase, tyrosinase, and birnessite) in the presence of humic acid led to oligomerization of the substrates or their binding to organic matter. The effect of humic acid on the overall transformation depended on the substrate, type of catalyst, and the concentration and source of humic acid. At low humic acid concentrations, the transformation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) was enhanced, but at higher concentrations of humic acid, no further enhancement occurred. The transformation of 4-chloroaniline (4-CA) was only slightly affected after the addition of humic acid. In experiments with {sup 14}C-labeled substrates, 4-CP was mainly bound to humic acid and formed few oligomers, whereas 4-CA was largely subject to oligomerization with less binding to humic acid. Binding and oligomerization of 4-CP did not change with increasing concentration of humic acid, but with 4-CA, binding increased and oligomerization decreased. It appears that nucleophilic binding of 4-CA depended largely on the availability of carbonyl and quinone groups in humic acid and, therefore, the distribution of the transformed substrate between oligomers and organic matter greatly depended on the source of humic acid.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (US)
OSTI ID:
20075830
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Quality, Vol. 29, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Feb 2000; ISSN 0047-2425
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English