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Appendix 2
Ethylbenzene Depletion from Water
Ethylbenzene has been classified as readily biodegradable in surface water and waste water treatment plants (WWTP). The following table shows the derived rate constants and half lives in different compartments (Reference 3).
Rate constants and half lives due to biodegradation of ethylbenzene
| Rate constant | Half life | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface water | 4.7 x 10-2 d-1 | 15 d |
| WWTP | 1 h-1 | - |
| Soil | 2.31 x 10-2 d-1 | 30 d |
| Sediment | 2.31 x 10-3 d-1 | 300 d |
Using a Koc of 432, a Henry constant of 617 Pa.m3 mol-1 and a rate constant of 1 h-1, the following distribution of ethylbenzene in WWTP was calculated with Simple Treat 3.0.
Summary of distribution in sewage treatment plant.
| % of total | |
|---|---|
| air | 46.7 |
| water | 5.4 |
| sludge | 3.7 |
| degraded | 44.2 |
| total removal | 94.6 |
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