It will not bioconcentrate in fish since it is readily metabolized. DBP is found in groundwater under rapid infiltration sites and elsewhere. It has been suggested that its tendency to form complexes with water-soluble fulvic acids, a component of soils, may aid its transport into groundwater. Although it degrades under anaerobic conditions, its fate in groundwater is unknown. If released into air, DBP is generally associated with the particulate fraction and will be subject to gravitational settling.
Human exposure is from air, drinking water and food in addition to in the workplace.
Removal rates are increased by acclimation of the microbial populations. However, DBP has been found in groundwater at high concentrations under rapid infiltration sites which demonstrates that with high input levels it can leach into groundwater. However, DBP was regularly detected 6 km downcurrent from a kraft pulp mill on a Finnish Lake, making it one of the most persistent compounds discharged by the mill . Volatilization will make a small contribution to loss in natural bodies of water. Decomposition of DBP was enhanced in soils by increasing soil pH from 5.2 to 7.0, by adding organic matter and by elevating the temperature from 23 deg C to 30 deg C. Varying soil characteristics and the simultaneous addition of ammonium, CaCO3, or sewage sludge had little effect on the rate or extent of DBP degradation.