Question

Using Kow data, rank the following compounds on the basis of lowest to highest degree of bioconcentration by estimating the bioconcentration factor for each.

log Kow Water Solubility mg/L Kn,atm/M

Chloroform 1.97 7,500 4.1

TCE 2.42 1,100 11.6

Benzene 2.13 1,760 5.6

Toluene 2.73 540 6.4

Phenol 1.46 80,000 0.00076  

Benzo[a]pyrene 6.06 0.0038 0.00049

Acrolein 0.01 210,000 0.0038

DDT 6.91 0.0055 0.038

Answer 1

Bioconcentration factor(BCF) can be calculated as:

^{BCF= mK_{OW +}} b

	log Kow	BCF
Chloroform	1.97	93.32
TCE	2.42	263.02
Benzene	2.13	134.89
Toluene	2.73	537.03
Phenol	1.46	28.84
Benzo[a]pyrene	6.06	1148153.621
Acrolein	0.01	1.023
DDT	6.91	8128305.162

The order of compunds from lowest to highest degree of bioconcentration:

Acrolein Phenol Chloroform Benzene  TCE Toluene Benzo[a]pyrene DDT