Open Access

This thesis has been designed to improve the understanding of the distribution pattern and transport mechanisms of alkylphenols and the phthalates in the coastal margins, especially the roles of the air-sea exchanges in these processes. Henry’s Law Constants (HLC) were determined for the diastereomeric mixture of NP and t- OP in artificial seawater over given temperature range using a dynamic equilibrium system. An analytical method has been developed for the simultaneous extraction and determination of trace tertiary octylphenol (t-OP), technical nonylphenol isomers (NP), nonylphenol monoethoxylate isomers (NP1EO) and the phthalates in the atmosphere and sea water using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method was successfully applied to the determination of APs and the phthalates in the atmosphere and sea water samples collected from the North Sea. A decreasing concentration profile of NP, t-OP, NP1EO and the phthalates appeared as the distance from the coast increased to the central part of the North Sea. Air-sea exchanges of t-OP, NP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP were estimated using the two-film resistance model based upon relative air-water concentrations. The average of air-sea exchange fluxes indicates a net deposition is occurring. These results suggest that the air–sea vapour exchange is an important process that intervenes in the mass balance of alkylphenols and the phthalates in the North Sea.