Phototoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at varying light intensities

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:37499

Ankley, G T; Phipps, G L; Mattson, V R; Erickson, R J ^[1]; Kosian, P A; Cox, J S; Sheedy, B R; Mount, D R ^[2]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN (United States)
2. Integrated Laboratory Systems, Duluth, MN (United States)

Conceptual models suggest that the toxicity of photoactivated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) should be a function both of chemical (PAH) dose, and intensity of the ultraviolet (UV) light to which the organism is exposed (photon dose). However, there have been no systematic studies with aquatic organisms to quantify the relationship between PAH dose and UV intensity in producing phototoxicity. In these studies, oligochaetes (Lumbriculus variegatus) were exposed, via the water, to multiple concentrations of individual PAHs known to be photoactivated (fluoranthene, pyrene, anthracene), and then placed under UV light of three different intensities. The resultant phototoxicity clearly was a function both of PAH dose and light intensity. A joint toxicity model relating toxicity to PAH concentrations and light intensity will be presented.

• OSTI ID: 37499
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ANNELIDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
WATER POLLUTION