The phototoxic effects of fluoranthene on bullfrog tadpoles

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:455327

Walker, S E; Taylor, D H; Oris, J T ^[1]

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1. Miami Univ., Oxford, OH (United States). Dept. of Zoology

The objective of this study was to determine the phototoxic effects of fluoranthene on bullfrog larvae by examining the relationship between median time to death and fluoranthene concentration and by examining the effects of short-term sublethal fluoranthene exposure on behavior and body condition. To determine the relationship between median time to death and fluoranthene concentration, tadpoles were exposed to either 0, 60, 80, 100 or 120 mg fluoranthene/L, and monitored for 144h under SUVR (40--50 mW/cm{sup 2} UVA, 4--6 mW/cm{sup 2} UVB). To examine the effects of fluoranthene on behavior and body condition, 20 tadpoles were exposed to either 0, 10, or 40 mg fluoranthene/L with simulated SUVR for either 48 or 96 h. At either 48 or 96 h ten individuals were removed and their locomotor activity was monitored and the body length and mass determined. Median time to death decreased with increased fluoranthene concentration and appears to do so in a linear fashion. Body condition was determined using a ratio index (mass/length{sup 3}) and a residual index was determined using the residuals of a regression of body length and body mass. Both exposure time and concentration affected both condition indices. Body burden was significantly affected at 10 mg fluoranthene/L. Exposure to fluoranthene for 48 h caused no significant effect on locomotor activity. However, at 96 h hyperactivity was noted in the highest fluoranthene exposure concentration. These results indicate that exposure to fluoranthene under environmentally realistic conditions can cause both lethal and sublethal effects on amphibian larvae.

• OSTI ID: 455327
• Report Number(s): CONF-961149--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
FROGS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
WATER POLLUTION