Butyl Benzoate

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Biodegradation is expected to be the major degradation process in soil. Two biodegradation screening studies have found butyl benzoate to be readily biodegradable(1-2). A measured Koc value of 125(3) suggests that butyl benzoate will be mobile in soil. Its detection in environmental ground waters(4) indicates that it can leach(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Biodegradation is expected to be the major degradation process in natural water. Two biodegradation screening studies have found butyl benzoate to be readily biodegradable(1-2). Some volatilization may occur. The volatilization half-lives from a model environmental river (1 meter deep) and model pond have been estimated to be 33 hours and 20 days, respectively(3,4). Aquatic bioconcentration and adsorption to sediment are not expected to be important fate processes(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based upon an extrapolated vapor pressure of 0.01 mm Hg at 25 °C(1), butyl benzoate is expected to exist almost entirely in the vapor-phase in the ambient atmosphere(2). It will degrade in an average ambient atmosphere by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals (estimated half-life of about 3.25 days)(3,SRC).

Butyl benzoate has been identified as a volatile component of dalieb fruit (edible fruit of a palm tree that grows along the Nile River)(1). Butyl benzoate has been identified as a volatile component of papaya fruit, babaco fruit and green peas(2-4). It has been identified in molasses aroma(5).

Butyl benzoate has been identified as a volatile component of dalieb fruit (edible fruit of a palm tree that grows along the Nile River)(1). Butyl benzoate has been identified as a volatile component of papaya fruit, babaco fruit and green peas(2-4).

Butyl benzoate has been identified as a volatile component of dalieb fruit (edible fruit of a palm tree that grows along the Nile River)(1). Butyl benzoate has been identified as a volatile component of papaya fruit, babaco fruit and green peas(2-4).

Using an aerobic dilution method and an adapted culture taken from a treatment plant, 50 ppm butyl benzoate was observed to biodegrade readily as 100% of added butyl benzoate degraded within one day(1). Using the standard BOD dilution method, butyl benzoate was found to have a 5-day theoretical BOD of 50% and a 30-day theoretical BOD of 73%(2).

Based upon a reported water solubility of 59 mg/L(1), the BCF for butyl benzoate can be estimated to be 62 from a recommended regression-derived equation(2,SRC). This BCF value suggests that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is not important(SRC).

Based upon a water solubility of 59 mg/L(1) and an extrapolated vapor pressure of 0.01 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), the Henry's Law constant for butyl benzoate can be estimated to be 3.97X10-5 atm cu m/mole; a Henry's Law constant of this magnitude indicates that volatilization from environmental waters is possible, but should not be rapid(3). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep flowing 1 m/sec with a wind velocity of 3 m/sec) can be estimated to be about 33 hours(3,SRC). Volatilization half-life from an model environmental pond (2 meters deep) can be estimated to be about 20 days(4,SRC).