Changes of toxicological properties of biodegradation products of anthracene and phenanthrene

Abstract

The aim of this work was to determine toxicity and mutagenicity of anthracene and phenanthrene and their microbial biotransformation products. The following representatives of different trophic levels of aquatic biocenoses were selected for the toxicological tests: Selenastrum capricornutum, Lemna minor, Daphnia magna and Lebistes reticulatus. Mutagenic properties were determined by Ames test. Results of the analyses confirmed toxicity of studied PAHs for test organisms. Metabolites produced during biological degradation of anthracene and phenanthrene were also harmful for selected representatives of aquatic ecosystems.