R = ideal gas constant

 T = absolute temperature.

 The low vapor pressure and the high aqueous solubility

of phenol indicates that there is little tendency for

volatilization from water. Chlorinated phenols are less

soluble in water, but the higher acidity increases the

proportion of the ionized form (which is much less volatile

than its unionized counterpart) in the natural environments

and causes them to be highly solvated. Thus, volatilization

will not have a significant contribution for loss of most

chlorophenols in aquatic environments.


3.3.5 Biodegradation


 As early as 1946 Claude E. ZoBell (ZoBell, 1946)

reported that more than 100 species representing 30

microbial genera had been shown to have the ability to

utilize organic compounds as carbon and energy sources, and

that such microorganisms are widely distributed in nature

(Atlas, 1981). Bartha and Atlas (1977) listed 22 genera of

bacteria, one algal genus and 14 genera of fungi that had

been demonstrated to contain members which utilize petroleum

hydrocarbons. All of these microorganisms were isolated

from an aquatic environment. In soil samples Jones and

Eddington (1968) found that 11 genera of fungi and six

genera of bacteria were the dominant microbial genera

responsible for hydrocarbon oxidation.