The uptake of 2-nitrophenol, 2-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-methylphenol on aqueous surfaces was investigated between 278 and 303 K, using the wetted-wall flow tube technique coupled with UV absorption spectroscopic detection. The uptake coefficients gamma were found to be independent of the aqueous phase composition and of the gas-liquid contact times. In addition, the uptake coefficients and the derived mass accom, modation coefficients a show a negative temperature dependence in the temperature range studied. The mass accommodation coefficients decrease from 5.2 x 10(-3) to 8.3 x 10(-4), from 5.0 x 10(-3) to 3.1 x 10(-4), from 6.7 x 10(-3) to 7.3 x 10(-4), and from 1.2 x 10(-2) to 5.9 x 10(-4) for 2-nitrophenol, 2-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-methylphenol, respectively. These results are used to discuss the incorporation of these species into the liquid using, the nucleation theory. These data combined with the Henry's law constants were used to estimate the partitioning of the phenolic compounds between gaseous and aqueous phases and the corresponding atmospheric lifetimes under clear sky (T-gas) and cloudy conditions (T (multiphase)) have then been derived.