Environmental Profiles of Chemical Flame-Retardant Alternatives for

Sediment/Water Biodegradation:
Conclusion: The biodegradation of triphenyl phosphate in the presence of pond and/or river
sediment under various conditions has been adequately characterized.
Basis for Conclusion: Biodegradation of TPP has been studied under a variety of conditions and
temperatures in the presence of both river and pond sediment.
Sediment Temp. T 1/2 Comments Reference
Pond soil 25 50-60 days Aerobic conditions.
Sediment is described to be hydrosoil from a
small pond.
Initial concentration, 0.05 ppm
Major product is diphenyl phosphate.
Pond sediment 25
10
2
River
sediment
2.8 days
2.8 days
11.9 days
Static conditions (air/oxygen neither
excluded nor added during the test).
Sediment was collected from a eutrophic
farm pond near Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Initial TPP concentration 0.10 :g/mL.
Sediment:water ratio 1:10.
25 7.0 days Static conditions (air/oxygen neither
excluded nor added during the test).
Sediment was collected from the Red River
near Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Initial TPP concentration 0.10 :g/mL.
Sediment:water ratio 1:10.
Pond sediment 25 56.7%,
3 days*
13.1%,
40 days*
River
sediment
25 68.9%,
3 days*
10.3%,
40 days*
Aerobic conditions (respirometer, aerated).
Initial TPP concentration 0.05 :g/mL
Sediment:water ratio 1:20
*Half-life not reported. Values are % TPP
remaining over time.
Anaerobic conditions (respirometer, under
N 2).
Initial TPP concentration 0.05 :g/mL
Sediment:water ratio 1:20
*Half-life not reported. Values are % TPP
remaining over time.
Muir et al., 1989
Muir et al., 1989
Muir et al., 1989
Muir et al., 1989
Muir et al., 1989
Soil Biodegradation with Product Identification:
Conclusion: The biodegradation rate of triphenyl phosphate in soil has been adequately
characterized under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The biodegradation products have been
adequately characterized.
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