Nonylphenols(NP) are substances have been linked to reproduction health as environmental hormones. They can interfere with endocrine systems, and cause infertility. In commercial cleaning products, nonylphenol ethoxylates are common components of nonionic surfactants. Nonylphenol ethoxylates in the sewer discharged into the sewage treatment plant are converted into NP by the anaerobic microbial degradation.
This study is aimed to investigate the amounts of nonylphenols in sewer and dry sludge obtained from a sewage treatment plant, using improved acid hydrolysis to pre-treat samples and using HPLC/Fluorescence Detector to determine the samples and concentration.
Our results showed that the acid hydrolysis was a better pre-treat method for sewer samples, with the methodological coefficient of variation of less 7%. Nonacid hydrolysis was better for sludge samples, with the methodology coefficient of variation of less 5%. The highest NP concentration among sewer samples was found in the effluent water (14.94 μg/L). The highest NP concentration in dry sludge sample obtained from the sludge digestion tank and sludge cookie was as high as 200mg/kg. If the sewer is directly discharge into the environment, it is likely to pollute the nature water system and affect the aquatic life.
