Effect of sorbed nonylphenol on sorption of phenanthrene onto mineral surface

The effect of sorbed nonylphenol (NP) at low levels on phenanthrene sorption onto the mineral surfaces (organic-removed sediment, kaolinite) and a natural sediment with low organic content was investigated in this study. NP could be sorbed on the sediment and the minerals, and part of sorbed NP interacted with the solid surface stably. At very low concentrations, sorbed NP was observed to inhibit the sorption of phenanthrene on the hydrophilic mineral surfaces (organic-removed sediment and kaolinite) based on the change of phenanthrene apparent solid-liquid distribution coefficients. When the amount of sorbed NP increased to higher levels, enhancement of phenanthrene sorption occurred. Similar result was also obtained in isotherm experiments. On the mineral sorbents contacting with 1.0 mg/L NP solution previously, the K(d) values were lower compared with those on the sorbents without sorbed NP. On the sorbents with higher levels of sorbed NP (contacting with 10 mg/L NP solution previously), the K(d) values increased, while the isotherm tended to be more nonlinear. Concentrations of sorbed NP determined its orientation on the surface, which could presumably affect the water film above the sorbents, or contribute more adsorption sites for phenanthrene.