الفهرس 
acknowledgmentOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
1.1. Aromatic compounds as major sources of environmental
pollution :
Energy and the environment are two important concerns of modern society. Rapid industrialization, besides its benefits, has resulted in cumulative hazardous effects on the environment. The chemical and petroleum industries produce a varety of highly toxic organic wastes. Such toxic wastes are often resistant to natural biodegradation and therefore persist in the environment. Aromatic compounds are common organic toxicants present in industrial effluents (Satsangee and Ghosh, 1990). Among them are oil refineries, petrochemical plants, coal gasification, coal conversion plants, coking plants, fertilizer and pharmaceutical operations (Khan et al, 1981). Due to their toxicity to microorganisms, phenolic compounds often result in the breakdown of waste-water treatment plants by inhibition of microbial growth, even at relatively low concentrations (>200 mg. 1-1) (Li and Humphery. 1989; Hinteregger et al, 1992).
Phenol and many of its derivatives are widely used in the chemical industry to manufacture synthetic resins and plastics, plasticizers, disinfectants, dyes, antioxidants, surface active agents, medicinals, flavors and perfumes. They also have important use in the production of explosives and photographic chemicals.