ACUTE TOXICITY OF ACENAPHTHENE TO DUCKWEED

Abstract

Acenaphthene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). It is a con­stituent of coal tar and other petroleum residues. The compound is used as a dye intermediate, as an insecticide and fungicide, and in the manufacture of plastics. The University of Wisconsin-Superior entered into a contract with Battelle Memorial Laboratories, Columbus, OH to conduct toxicity tests needed to ful­fill the minimum data set necessary to derive National Water Quality Criteria. The acute exposure of duckweed (Lemna minor) to acenaphthene is one of the required tests.