Nonylphenol ethoxylates and other additives in aircraft deicers, antiicers, and waters receiving airport runoff

Environmental Science & Technology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Samples of nine different formulations of aircraft deicer and antiicer fluids (ADAF) were screened for the presence of selected surfactants. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEO) were identified in three ADAF formulations, octylphenol ethoxylates were identified in two formulations, and six formulations contained alcohol ethoxylates. A preliminary field study was conducted at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, WI, to quantify NPnEO (n = 1-15) and one of its byproducts, nonylphenol (NP), in airport runoff. Samples were collected from two airport outfalls, from the receiving stream, and from an upstream reference site during intensive ADAF application events. NPnEO was measured at concentrations up to 1190microg/L in airport outfall samples, up to 77 ug/L in samples from the receiving stream and less than 5.0 microg/L from the upstream reference. Concentrations of glycol and other ADAF-related constituents, including NPnEO, were reduced by approximately 1 order of magnitude between the outfall sites and the receiving stream site; however, concentrations of NP in the receiving stream remained similar to those from the outfalls (< 0.04 microg/L at the upstream reference, 0.98 and 7.67 microg/L at outfalls, and 3.89 microg/L in the receiving stream). The field data suggest that NP is generated through degradation of NPnEO from airport runoff.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Nonylphenol ethoxylates and other additives in aircraft deicers, antiicers, and waters receiving airport runoff
Series title Environmental Science & Technology
DOI 10.1021/es034005i
Volume 37
Issue 18
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher ACS
Description 7 p.
First page 4031
Last page 4037
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Other Geospatial General Mitchell International Airport, Kinnickinnic River, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Harbor, Wilson Park Creek
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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