Photo-oxidation Process of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Water April 17,2009 NASA Space Grant Rodrigo Lopez Mentor: Dr. Eduardo Saez NASA Space Grant Symposium April 18, 2009

Intersex Characteristics in Fish Higher abundance of fish with intersex characteristics in presence of treated wastewater An experiment done in rivers in great Britain found that rivers under waste water treatment plants have higher abundance of fish with intersex characteristics-males with female reproductory charactericsts Data in from rivers in great britain, incidence of intersex characteristics was higher below water treatment plants than above Intersex characteristics-egg development in males-feministic abnormalities Because exposed to estrogen in waste water

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds nonylphenol Derivatives in household products 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE2)- birth control ingredient excreted from users into waste water Nonyl phenol causes fish to release a estrogenic hormone that creates feminine characteristics in males hindering reproductive capabilities. 17β-estradiol (E2)-estrogen derivative These compounds work as mimics due to their equivalency or similar structural features which confuse body by acting as signals. This signal causes the cells to act unnaturally 17β-estradiol (E2) 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE2) Present in birth control Mimics other EDCs

Goals of Experiment Determine kinetics of nonylphenol through H2O2 photolysis. Show that NP can be quickly degraded using solar light in the presence of H2O2 . This method chosen since the degradation of NP can be scaled Mathematical model can be used in various applications in further developments (photolysis expensive since lamp is $$$)

Experimental Set Up Sunlight or UV Lamp 26 mM NP Run reaction, Extract NP 50,75,100 mM H2O2 Analyze in Spectrophotometer or GC/MS Compound UV- covered (quartz?) to prevent evaporation Photon flux of UV light identified through method of actinometry, Batch Reactor (600 mL)

Results NP seems to degrade faster with more H2O2, possible due to more hydroxyl radicals being formed. NP degrades faster using sunlight than the controlled UV Lamp since higher intensity and all light from the spectrum is being used to form more radicals which quickly break apart the NP compound

Conclusions NP can be destroyed in a photochemical reaction with H2O2 in lab scale using UV and sun light. Sunlight quickly degrades NP in a H2O2 photolysis reaction. I am not sure how to phrase the last point

Thanks To Lab Group: Mario Rojas, Dr. Bob Arnold, Fernando Perez Brian Barbaris for equipment, and roof access. Mentor Desiree Polson and other interns NASA Space Grant Internship Program I want to thank my mentor Eduardo Saez, post doctoral student Mario Rojas, professor Bob Arnold, research partner Fernando Perez, for assisting me and teaching me on what the research was about and helping me through the research process. Brian Barbaris for letting us use his lab space, GC/MS and other equipment, and giving me roof access for the sunlight experiment. Mentor Desiree Polson and other interns for giving advice and assistant during the experience Everyone involved in the NASA space grant internship program, Susan Brew etc..