Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Fluoranthene, With and Without Additional Ultraviolet Light, to Twelve Species of Freshwater Organisms
Abstract
The Environmental Health Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin Superior (UW-S) conducted tests
to complete the freshwater data set to derive the national water quality criteria for the compound
fluoranthene. The tests were conducted under normal light conditions, then repeated with
additional ultraviolet (UV) light to compare the effect of photoactivation on the toxicity of
fluoranthene. The tests were the eight acute tests specified in the "Guidelines for deriving
numerical national water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic organisms and their uses"
(Stephan, et al. 1985). Acute tests were also run with two plants, hydra and a second benthic
species. The guidelines require three chronic tests to derive a chronic criterion. Two chronic
tests were conducted with freshwater species sensitive to fluoranthene. The third chronic test
must be conducted with a saltwater species if both fresh and saltwater criteria are to be
developed.
Subject
acute toxicity
chronic toxicity
fluoranthene
ultraviolet light
freshwater organisms