Ecotoxicity of phenol and cresols to aquatic organisms: A review

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 157; pp. 441 - 456
• Main Authors: Duan, Weiyan, Meng, Fanping, Cui, Hongwu, Lin, Yufei, Wang, Guoshan, Wu, Jiangyue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 15-08-2018
• Subjects: Aquatic Organisms; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Chemical Phenomena; Cresols; Cresols - toxicity; Ecotoxicity; Ecotoxicology; Environmental Monitoring; Fresh Water - chemistry; Hazardous Substances - toxicity; Phenol; Phenol - toxicity; Toxicity Tests; Waste Water - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Biodegradation; Phenol; Aquatic organisms; Cresols; Ecotoxicity
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.03.089

With the development of industrial production and continuous demand for chemicals, a large volume of wastewater containing phenols was discharged into the aquatic environment. Moreover, chemical leakage further increased the emission of phenols into aquatic systems. Phenol and its methylated derivative (cresols) were selected due to their extensive use in industry and ecotoxicity to freshwater and marine organisms. This review focused on the ecotoxicity of phenol and m-, o-, and p-cresol on aquatic systems. The mechanism of action of phenols was also discussed. The aim of this literature review was to summarise the knowledge of the behaviour, and toxicity on marine and freshwater organisms, of phenols as well as to try to select a series of sensitive biomarkers suitable for ecotoxicological assessment and environmental monitoring in aquatic environments.
•Behaviour of phenol and cresols in aquatic environments is described.•Toxicological effects of phenols towards aquatic organisms are reviewed.•Studies of phenol biodegradation by different microorganisms are required.•Biomarkers are useful tools for studying HNS toxicity.