Degradation of the Lampricide 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrophenol by Bottom Sediments

Abstract

At low oxygen tensions in sediment–water aquaria systems, concentrations of 3-trifiuoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) in the range 5–10 mg/liter were reduced to 3-trifluoromethyl-4-aminophenol (RTFM) in 5–20 days. This reduction resulted in loss of the characteristic yellow color of TFM as measured by the optical density at 395 nm. The reduced form was apparently stable, although inconclusive evidence suggested that some additional breakdown of RTFM may have occurred within 3 months under anoxic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, no significant degradation of TFM was observed for periods of up to 2.5 months. Sorption of TFM by sediments was observed to some extent and appeared to vary with the sediment source.