1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 $$$)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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..