Luminescence investigations of the degradation of 2-methylphenol and 4-methylphenol in water

Fluorescent characteristics of the photo- and biotransformations of 2-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol and their mixtures in water exposed to uv radiation of various sources and to Penicillium tardum H-2 culture have been studied. The toxicity of these solutions has also been investigated by means of bioluminescent testing. Preliminary exposure of a 4-methylphenol solution (10⁻³ M) to uv radiation with λ ∼ 308 nm or to the radiation of a mercury lamp inhibited the subsequent microbiological degradation. Efficient decomposition of methylphenol molecules in the mixture was detected when it was exposed to the radiation of a mercury lamp or to 222-nm radiation and then subject to biodecomposition. The irradiation of solutions of 2-methylphenol and 4-methylphenol and their low-concentration mixtures with 308-nm uv radiation or with the radiation of a mercury lamp resulted in detoxication of the solutions. Extreme toxicity was shown by 4-methylphenol solutions on exposure to uv radiation with λ ∼ 222 nm.