علی اکبری

Concentrations of technical 4-nonylphenol, 4-n-octylphenol, and 4-tert-octylphenol were investigated in surface water and sediment samples of four areas in Fars Province. Two of them (Kazrrun, Nayriz) were established in intensively cropped landscapes, one was surrounded by dense forests. Total alkylphenol concentrations in sediments generally ranged between 1 and 10 µg kg_1 dw with 4-tert-octylphenol being the dominant alkylphenol. Because 4-tert-octylphenol concentration patterns at Kazrrun, Nayriz, and in the forest reservoir were found to be quite similar (up to 5 µg kg_1 dw), this value is considered as the ubiquitous background level. In contrast, the Nayriz, and Kazerun sediments showed significantly higher 4-tert-octylphenol concentrations, possibly due to accelerated inputs from adjacent intensively cropped fields. Analyzed alkylphenols were not detectable in water samples. Maximum AP concentrations in the investigated sediments were 10 µg kg_1 dw. Generally, atmospheric input was assumed to be the major source of AP. but at Shiraz and Marvdasht, where concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol were significantly higher than in the sediments of the other reservoirs, additional input originating from pesticide application at adjacent fields might have occurred. AP was not detected in any surface water sample analyzed. LOEC of single AP in sediments inducing estrogenic effects were exceeded several times