ABSTRACT
Phenols occur in the aquatic environment due to their wide spread usage. Degering has estimated a yearly consumption of phenol to be in several hundred million kilograms. Phenols occur throughout the plant and animal kingdom. Phenols may also enter in aquatic environment through misuse, accidental release, or intentional disposal at the manufacturing or use sites. Phenols have a broad spectrum of toxicity due to their varied uses and the nature of the substituents in environmentally important phenols. Organic solvents are often used to extract phenols from environmental samples. Chlorinated phenols are also determined in air, water, sediment, and biota to assess their environmental impact on the aquatic ecosystem. Phenols may also enter in aquatic environment through misuse, accidental release, or intentional disposal at the manufacturing or use sites. The environmental distribution and cycling of chlorophenols can affect air, water, soil, aquatic organisms, wildlife, and man.
