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

Abstract

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 indirectlymore » 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.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
5600592
Resource Type:
Miscellaneous
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

Gala, W R. The effects of ultraviolet radiation and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, anthracene, on algae. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Gala, W R. The effects of ultraviolet radiation and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, anthracene, on algae. United States.
Gala, W R. 1989. "The effects of ultraviolet radiation and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, anthracene, on algae". United States.
@article{osti_5600592,
title = {The effects of ultraviolet radiation and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, anthracene, on algae},
author = {Gala, W R},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5600592}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}

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