TOXICITY OF PHENANTHRENE TO SEVERAL FRESHWATER SPECIES

Abstract

Phenanthrene is a by-product of fossil fuel combusion. It is a constituent of coal tars and has been detected in the stack gases of both oil- and coal-fired power and manufacturing plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute toxicities and chronic effects of phenanthrene to several freshwater organ­isms. The organisms used for acute exposures to .phenanthrene were duckweed (Lemna minor), a coelenterate (Hydra sp.), an annelid (Lumbriculus variegatus (Muller)), a cladoceran (Daphnia magna), an amphipod (Gammarus pseudolimnaeus), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). Chronic exposures to phenanthrene were conducted with rainbow trout and Daphnia magna.