1 research outputs found
Nanofiltration of hormone mimicking trace organic contaminants
The removal mechanisms of three hormone mimicking organic compounds by nanofiltration (NF)
membranes have been examined. Two NF membranes having different pore size were used in
laboratory-scale nanofiltration experiments with feed solutions spiked with a hormone mimicking
compound Ÿ nonylphenol, tert-butyl phenol, or bisphenol A. Retention of the compounds was
determined at various solution chemistries, namely aqueous solution pH, ionic strength, and
presence of natural organic matter. The nanofiltration behavior of the selected hormone mimicking
compounds appears similar to that of natural hormones as reported in our previous work. While the
solution pH can dramatically influence the retention of hormone mimicking compounds by a loose
NF membrane, ionic strength does not affect the nanofiltration of such contaminants. However, in
the presence of natural organic matter in the feed solution, ionic strength appears to play a
significant role in solute-solute and solute-membrane interactions, resulting in increased retention
due to partitioning of the hormone mimicking compounds onto organic matter at a higher ionic
strength