Adsorption of phthalic acid esters from seawater

Controlled laboratory experiments have shown the influence of several factors on the adsorption of two phthalic acid esters. Din-n-butyl phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate dissolved in seawater rapidly adsorb onto and desorb from three clay minerals, calcite, a sediment sample, and glass test tubes. The adsorption of phthalates is inversely related to the aqueous solubility of the two phthalates studied. An increase in the lipophilic character of the adsorbent or the salinity of the solution increases the amount of phthalate bound.