9. Concept of KOC and Partitioning
This chapter focuses on the partitioning behavior of chemicals in relation to organic carbon and their implications in environmental science. It examines the significance of the partition coefficient KOC as a normalized measure of chemical interaction with organic matter compared to water. The discussion extends to the concepts of bioaccumulation and the octanol-water partition coefficient KOW, linking physical chemistry principles to practical environmental and health considerations.
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What we have learnt
- The partition coefficient KOC is a crucial measure for understanding the behavior of chemicals concerning organic carbon in various environments.
- KOC values vary significantly based on the origin and chemical structure, highlighting the complexity of chemical partitioning.
- Bioaccumulation factors (KOW) provide insight into chemical accumulation in living organisms and their environmental impact.
Key Concepts
- -- KOC
- The partitioning constant that represents the tendency of a chemical to associate with organic carbon relative to water.
- -- KOW
- The octanol-water partition coefficient that indicates a chemical's affinity for organic matter compared to water, often used to assess bioaccumulation potential.
- -- Hydrophobicity
- A property describing a chemical's aversion to water, often indicated by high KOC or KOW values.
- -- Bioaccumulation
- The accumulation of substances, such as chemicals, in an organism, measurable through partition coefficients.
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