Chemical hydrophobicity is a driving force in environmental transport.  In the development of QSRR, QSAR, and LFER models, hydrophobicity plays a major role�often describing a statistically significant contribution to the variability of each model. Although studies of the nature of the hydrophobic effect have appeared in the literature since the early work of Traube in 1891, correct application of hydrophobic indicators to environmental transport still remain to be investigated.  The hydrophobicity�ionogenicity profile of many chemicals varies with the pH of the environmental medium, thereby having a direct influence on environmental transport.  Two types of pH-dependent hydrophobicity parameters will be discussed�one which excludes ion pair partitioning and one which includes ion pair partitioning.  Examples of chemical interactions with mixed-mode sorbents will be presented to emphasize the role of the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity profile on the overall description of observed behavior.  The importance of accurate assessment of hydrophobicity by scientists, engineers, practitioners, and regulators currently engaged in chemical assessment for modeling of contaminant transport is emphasized.

Investigating the role of hydrophobicity in environmental transport prediction

246th National Meeting (2013)

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