The effects of ultraviolet radiation and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, anthracene, on algae

Miscellaneous · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5600592

Gala, W R

The direct effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the photoinduced toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to algae have been assessed. The penetration of solar UV radiation into offshore Lake Michigan was characterized. The direct effects of solar UV radiation to the primary production of natural phytoplankton assemblages in Lake Michigan was determined utilizing in situ incubations in chambers which selectively removed portions of the solar UV spectrum. A predictive hazard assessment model to estimate the impact of current and potential UV intensities on total lake productivity was developed. The photo-induced toxicity of the linear 3-ring PAH, anthracene, to the green alga, Selenastrum capricornutum, was characterized. The dose-response relationships among anthracene concentration, UV radiation intensity, and algal growth rate, {sup 14}C-bicarbonate incorporation, and flow cytometric endpoints were determined. The potential environmental hazard of PAH contamination to algal communities was assessed. Fluridone, a carotenoid biosynthesis inhibiting herbicide, was utilized to investigate possible sites and modes of toxic action and the protection provided by carotenoids in algal cells to the photo-induced toxicity of anthracene. It was concluded that solar UV radiation at current UV intensities can have considerable impact on natural algal communities through the direct effects of UV radiation and indirectly due to the photo-induced toxicity of PAH. However, stratospheric ozone depletion and the concomitant increase in solar UV radiation which is currently predicted will have negligible effects on primary production of phytoplankton assemblages in the Great Lakes.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5600592
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
SENSITIVITY
ANTHRACENE
TOXICITY
LAKE MICHIGAN
WATER POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
GROWTH
PHYTOPLANKTON
PRODUCTIVITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GREAT LAKES
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LAKES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RADIATIONS
SURFACE WATERS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540130 - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
550501 - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques