Developmental toxicity and risk assessment of nonylphenol to the South American toad, Rhinella arenarum

The toxicity of Nonylphenol, an emerging pollutant, on the common South American toad Rhinella arenarum was stage and time dependent, thus Median Lethal Concentrations (LC50) for acute (96 h), short-term chronic (168 h) and chronic exposure (336 h) were 1.06; 0.96 and 0.17 mgNP/L from embryonic period (S.4), whereas for exposure from larvae (S.25), LC50 remained constant at 0.37 mgNP/L from 96 h to 168 h, decreasing to 0.11 mgNP/L at 336 h. NOEC-168 h for exposure from embryos was 0.025 mgNP/L. The Teratogenic Potential (NOEC-lethality/NOEC-sublethal effects) was 23 times higher than the threshold value, indicating a high risk for embryos to be malformed in absence of significant lethality and representing a threat for the species conservation. By comparing with other amphibians, the early development of R. arenarum was very sensitive to NP. The results highlight the relevance of extending the exposure time and look for the most sensitive stage in order to perform the bioassays for conservation purposes.Fil: Aronzon, Carolina Mariel. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Perez Coll, Cristina Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentin

Ivermectin: A multilevel approach to evaluate effects in Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae), an inland fishery species

Ivermectin (IVM) is one of the most widely used antiparasitics worldwide. It is a potent and effective drug for treatment and prevention of internal and external parasitic infections of livestock and humans. IVM is excreted unchanged in manure of treated animals. Thus, residues of IVM may reach aquatic systems, affecting non-target organisms such as fish. Although the presence of IVM in aquatic environments has been reported, a multilevel approach (from cellular to behavioral responses) is necessary to determine the health of exposed organisms and the environmental risks associated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the response of the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus, one of the main target species of South American freshwater fisheries, exposed to environmental concentrations of IVM: low (0.5 μg L−1) and high (1.5 μg L−1). Behavioral responses were assessed in juvenile fish and included water column use, routine swimming, total distance travelled, total activity time and Maximum swimming speed achieved during the escape response. Biochemical/oxidative stress responses assessed included brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities; total antioxidant competence against peroxyl radicals (ACAP) and lipid oxidative damage (TBARs). Hematological biomarker responses included blood glucose levels, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular volume. Condition factor and hepatosomatic index were also calculated. The lowest IVM concentration caused a significant decrease in GST activity and maximum swimming speed during the escape response. Multivariate analysis with biochemical/stress and behavioral data revealed overall effects of IVM treatments. This multilevel analysis shows detrimental effects related to swimming behavior and predator avoidance which could affect population size and size-structure of P. lineatus. To our knowledge this is the first attempt to assess the effects of IVM on Neotropical fishes using an integrative approach based on biomarkers from different levels of biological organization.Fil: Lozano, Ismael Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Piazza, Yanina Grisel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Sager, Emanuel Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: de la Torre, Fernando Roman. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Lo Nostro, Fabiana Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentin

Особенности планктонных сообществ Торейских озер (Забайкальский край) в маловодный год

Lakes Barun-Torey and Zun-Torey are the largest water bodies in Zabaikalsky Krai, and they are characterized by long-term cyclic changes in the water level. Samples of the planktonic community (algae and invertebrates) were collected from the Torey Lakes in June, August, and October in the dry 2016. Collection and processing of the samples was carried out using standard hydrobiological methods. The aim of the study was to investigate the planktonic communities in the Torey Lakes. The lakes were in different hydrological phases: Barun-Torey was in the initial filling phase (with isolated small lakes present on the dried bed), and Zun-Torey was in the shallowing phase. Considerable differences were observed between the compositions and structures of the planktonic communities, which were determined by the mineral content of the water. Diverse littoral plankton developed, consisting of 2-25 taxa of algae (total number of taxa – 46) and 2-15 species of invertebrates (total number of species – 29) in the oligohaline small lakes on the bottom of Lake Barun-Torey. The abundance and biomass of aquatic organisms varied within very wide limits: for phytoplankton – from 0.7 × 103 to 1260.0 × 103 cells / L and from 0.1 to 1271.0 mg / m3, and for zooplankton – from 9.2 × 103 to 19370.0 × 103 individuals / m3 and from 3.8 to 361.7 g / m3. Freshwater and euryhaline species were dominant. In polyhaline Lake Zun-Torey, the phytoplankton consisted of 3-12 taxa of algae (total number of taxa – 18), and the invertebrate fauna included only 3 species. The abundance of phytoplankton varied from 12.4 × 103 to 310.7 × 103 cells / L and a biomass from 1.0 to 14.7 mg / m3, and the abundance of zooplankton varied from 55.1 × 103 to 1656.0 × 103 individuals / m3 and a biomass from 1.1 to 85.5 g / m3. Euryhaline and halophilic species dominatedОзера Барун-Торей и Зун-Торей являются самыми крупными водоемами в Забайкальском крае, для них характерна хорошо выраженная цикличность, проявляющаяся в многолетних изменениях уровня воды. Материалом для работы послужили пробы, собранные на Торейских озерах в июне, августе, октябре в маловодный 2016 г. Сбор и обработка материалов проводилась согласно стандартным гидробиологическим методам. Целью работы стало изучение особенностей развития планктонных биоценозов Торейских озер, одновременно находящихся в разных гидрологических фазах: Барун-Торей – в начальной фазе наполнения, Зун-Торей – в фазе снижения уровня воды. В районе северной оконечности высохшего Барун-Торея в пределах дна его ложа отмечались мелкие водоемы, источником питания которых служила многолетняя мерзлота и разгрузка подземных вод по разлому, проходящему по западному берегу озера. В Зун-Торее продолжался процесс обмеления водоема, который закончился практически полным его высыханием осенью 2017 г. Состав и структура фитопланктона и зоопланктона в разные гидрологические периоды имели существенные различия, определяемые уровнем минерализации озерных вод. В олигогалинных водоемах котловины Барун-Торея развивался литоральный планктоценоз, состоящий из 46 таксонов водорослей (при колебаниях от 2 до 25) и 29 видов беспозвоночных (при колебаниях от 2 до 15). Значения численности и биомассы гидробионтов колебались в очень широких пределах: фитопланктон – от 0,7 до 1260,0 тыс. кл/л и от 0,1 до 1271,0 мг/м3, зоопланктон – от 9,2 до 19370,0 тыс. экз/м3 и от 3,8 до 361,7 г/м3. Доминировали пресноводные и эвригалинные виды. Альгофлора полигалинного оз. Зун-Торей состояла из 18 таксонов (при варьировании от 3 до 12), фауна беспозвоночных – из 3 видов. Количественные показатели варьировали от 12,4 до 310,7 тыс. кл/л и от 1,0 до 14,7 мг/м3 для фитопланктона, и от 55,1 до 1656,0 тыс. экз/м3 и от 1,1 до 85,5 г/м3 – для зоопланктона. Преобладали эвригалинные и галофильные вид

First Characterization of PAH-degrading bacteria from Río de la Plata and high-resolution melting: an encouraging step toward bioremediation

The Río de la Plata, one of the most important estuarine environments in South America that sustains valuable fisheries, is affected by PAH contamination associated with oil industry and port activities. A total of 95 bacteria with potential to degrade phenanthrene were obtained from water samples using traditional culture methods. PCR-RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA partial fragments was used as a screening tool for reducing the number of isolates during diversity studies, obtaining 42 strains with different fingerprint patterns. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that they were affiliated to 19 different genera of Gamma- and Alpha-Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Some of them showed an efficient phenanthrene degradation by HPLC (between 83% and 97%) and surfactant production (between 40% and 55%). They could be an alternative for microbial selection in the degradation of PAHs in this estuarine system. In order to detect and monitor PAH-degrading bacteria in this highly productive area, rDNA amplicons of the 33 isolates, produced by PCR real time, were tested by the high-resolution melting (HRM) technique. After analyzing the generated melting curves, it was possible to accurately distinguish nine patterns corresponding to eight different genera. HRM analysis allowed a differentiation at the species level for genera Pseudomonas, Halomonas and Vibrio. The implementation of this method as a fast and sensitive scanning approach to identify PAH-degrading bacteria, avoiding the sequencing step, would mean an advance in bioremediation technologies.Fil: Izzo, Silvina Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, Silvina. Fares Taie Análisis Clínicos - Centro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Espinosa, Mariela. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Peressutti, Silvia R.. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentin

Photochemistry of imidazolium cations. Water addition to methylimidazolium ring induced by UV radiation in aqueous solution

The UV-C induced photoaddition of water to N-alkyl-N′-methylimidazolium cations was studied. The main photoreaction products exhibit chemical additions of a proton and a hydroxyl group to either positions 4 or 5 of the imidazolium ring. For unsymmetrical imidazolium cations, two positional isomers were obtained as products. In these cases, the most abundant isomer is the one in which the hydroxyl group adds at the side of the ring having the longer alkyl substituent. Experiments performed in D2O solutions reveal that the additions of proton and hydroxyl group never take place at the same carbon atom, in a reaction that produces equal amounts of diastereoisomers. Moreover, the formation of diastereoisomers at equal proportions suggests that the reaction proceeds in an unconcerted fashion.Fil: Sarmiento, Gabriela Pabla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Zelcer, Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Bionanociencias ; ArgentinaFil: Espinosa, Mariela Soledad. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Mirenda, Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentin

Anaerobic nonylphenol ethoxylate degradation coupled to nitrate reduction in a modified biodegradability batch test

The aim of this work was to elucidate the role of nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor on the biodegradation of NPEO. We have characterized the products of NPEO degradation by mixed microbial communities in anaerobic batch tests by means of HPLC, 1H NMR and GC-MS. Anaerobic degradation of NPEO was strictly dependent on the presence of nitrate. Within seven days of anoxic incubation, NP2EO appeared as the major degradation product. After 21 days, NP was the main species detected, and was not degraded further even after 35 days. Nitrate concentration decreased in parallel with NPEO de-ethoxylation. A transient accumulation of nitrite was observed within the time period in which NP formation reached its maximum production. The observed generation of nonylphenol coupled to nitrate reduction suggests that the microbial consortium possessed an alternate pathway for the degradation of NPEO, which was not accessible under aerobic conditions.Fil: Luppi, Lorena I.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Hardmeier, Ivo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Itria, Raúl Fabio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Erijman, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentin

Invasive species versus pollutants: Potential of Limnoperna fortunei to degrade glyphosate-based commercial formulations

The intensive use of glyphosate in industrial agriculture may lead to freshwater contamination, encouraging studies of its toxic effect on non-target aquatic organisms. Glyphosate-based commercial formulations contain adjuvants, making them even more toxic than the active ingredient (a.i.) itself. The golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei is a freshwater invasive species which has been found to increase glyphosate dissipation in water and to accelerate eutrophication. The aim of this study is to evaluate the capability of L. fortunei to reduce the concentration of glyphosate in two commercial formulations, Roundup Max® and Glifosato Atanor®. Results were compared with the decay of the a.i. alone and in presence of mussels. Evasive response and toxicity tests were performed in a first set of trials to analyze the response of L. fortunei exposed to Roundup Max® and Glifosato Atanor®. Subsequently, we conducted a 21-day degradation experiment in 2.6-L microcosms applying the following treatments: 6 mg L−1 of technical-grade glyphosate (G), Glifosato Atanor® (A), Roundup Max® (R), 20 mussels in dechlorinated tap water (M), and the combination of mussels and herbicide either in the technical-grade (MG) or formulated form (MA and MR) (all by triplicate). Samples were collected at days 0, 1, 7, 14 and 21. No significant differences in glyphosate decay were found between treatments with mussels (MG: 2.03 ± 0.40 mg L−1; MA: 1.60 ± 0.32 mg L−1; MR: 1.81 ± 0.21 mg L−1), between glyphosate as a.i. and the commercial formulations, and between the commercial formulations, suggesting that the adjuvants did not affect the degrading potential of L. fortunei. In addition to the acceleration of glyphosate dissipation in water, there was an increase in the concentration of dissolved nutrients in water (N–NH4 + and P-PO4 3-) even higher than that caused by the filtering activity of the mussels, probably resulting from stress or from the degradation of glyphosate and adjuvants. We believe that a larger bioavailability of these nutrients due to glyphosate metabolization mediated by mussels would accelerate eutrophication processes in natural water bodies. The approach used here, where L. fortunei was exposed to two commercial formulations actually used in agricultural practices, sheds light on the potential impact of glyphosate decay on water bodies invaded by this species.Fil: Gattás, Florencia María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Espinosa, Mariela. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Pizarro, Haydee Norma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cataldo, Daniel Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Biodegradation of nonylphenol polyethoxylates by litter-basidiomycetous fungi

Nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPnEOs) are widely used surfactants whose degradation products are a matter of concern due to their greater persistence in the environment, toxicity and endocrine-disrupting effects in wildlife and humans. The saprotrophics Gymnopus luxurians and Hypholoma fasciculare, and the ectomycorrhizal Xerocomellus chrysenteron were selected among nineteen litter-decomposing fungi due to their capacity to tolerate up to 10 g L-1 of NP10EO. While X. chrysenteron was unable to remove NP10EO when amended to agar medium at 1 g L-1, G. luxurians and H. fasciculare were efficient degraders, reaching 37.5 ± 3.1% and 74.4 ± 4.4% of elimination after 15 days, respectively. Under solid-state fermentation using Ligustrum lucidum leaf-litter as substrate, G. luxurians and H. fasciculare removed correspondingly 71.3 ± 3.8% and 96.3 ± 1.4% of the surfactant after 90 days. Fungal degradation ability was related to the secreted titers of the ligninolytic enzymes laccase and manganese peroxidase. Degradation pathway involved the elimination of the shorter homologues (n ≤ 7) while carboxylated products were not detected, consequently potentially toxic metabolites did not accumulate. Therefore, these litter-basidiomycetous fungi showed as promising tools for detoxifying nonylphenol polyethoxylates and other related chemical compounds with endocrine disrupting activity (such as nonylphenol).Fil: Mallerman, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Itria, Raúl Fabio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; ArgentinaFil: Saparrat, Mario Carlos Nazareno. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Botánica Spegazzini; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Levin, Laura Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentin

Increased biodegradability of the fungicide imazalil after photo-Fenton treatment in solar pilot plant

Wastewater containing pesticides released to water courses without any previous treatment produces an extremely negative impact into the environment, causing concern among the population and authorities. Imazalil (IMZ) is a post-harvest fungicide used on a myriad of fruit crops; it is classified as "likely to be carcinogenic in humans" and produce a negative impact on the biota. In this work we propose a coupled solar Fenton-Biological process in a pilot plant for the treatment of water containing the fungicide IMZ and organic coadjutants. Water solutions containing up to 500 mg/L IMZ, 500 mgC/L TOC and 1300-1400 mgO2/L COD were partially oxidized by Solar-Fenton process. For the first time, the efficiency of the treatment in the Buenos Aires area during different seasons was studied. In summer the treatment was faster but less efficient than in winter. Organic compounds were converted to organic acids like malic, formic and oxalic acids. The resultant solution was biodegraded using consortium adapted to IMZ oxidation byproducts without the incorporation of any extra carbon sources. As a result of the treatment TOC and COD were reduced to acceptable values for discharge in sewage, and its toxicity (determined by assays on Lactuca sativa L.) was significantly decreased. These results exemplified the advantages of combining advanced oxidation with the biological process for recalcitrant compounds degradation.Fil: Lopez Loveira, Elsa Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Fantoni, Sofía. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Espinosa, Mariela Soledad. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; ArgentinaFil: Curutchet, Gustavo Andres. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Candal, Roberto Jorge. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentin

Degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate-9 (NPE-9) by photochemical advanced oxidation technologies

The applicability of different photochemical advanced oxidation technologies (PAOTs), namely, direct UV-C photolysis, UV-C/H2O 2 and UV-A/TiO2 heterogeneous photocatalysis (HP), and photo-Fenton reactions (UV-A/H2O2/Fe2+, PF), for the degradation of 300 mg L-1 nonylphenol ethoxylate-9 (NPE-9) in water is described. Different kinetic regimes for each PAOT were found, and as a result, comparative efficiencies could be obtained only from final parameters such as NPE-9 conversion, TOC decrease, and aldehyde production after 3 h of treatment. The initial photonic efficiencies indicate, however, that UV-A processes make better use of photons than UV-C processes. Preliminary optimization of PF systems showed that the most efficient NPE-9/H 2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio was 1:1:0.5. Degradation products were partially investigated. Fortunately, toxic 4-nonylphenol was never found as a byproduct of the degradation after any of the treatments. Aldehydes were formed in all of the processes, but they appeared at a low extent in PF reactions. Therefore, PF treatments were considered to be the best degradation processes. © 2010 American Chemical Society.Fil: De La Fuente, Luciana. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Tatiana. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Babay, Paola Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Curutchet, Gustavo Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Candal, Roberto Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Litter, Marta Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentin