Bioaccumulation of PAHs and Their Hydroxylated Metabolites in Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio Linnaeus 1758) in Controlled Environment

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the incorporation of PAHs into muscle of Cyprinus carpio. Three model compounds (phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene) were orally administered during 56 days, in a series of three increasing doses (0, 100, 500 μg of each PAHs per kg of fish). PAHs and their hydroxylated metabolites were analyzed by a HPLC-Fluorimetry method. Results of this study showed a significant increase of phenanthrene and pyrene in muscle. Benzo[a]pyrene incorporation to muscle was not effective. Concerning hydroxylated metabolites, they were not detected in muscle of carp. Steady states for phenanthrene and pyrene were obtained after 28 days of exposure. Low incorporation to muscle was observed at equilibrium for phenanthrene (6% and 3%) and pyrene (3% and 1%), depending of the dose tested.     

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN URBAN AND RURAL ATMOSPHERES: SPATIAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS OF CONCENTRATIONS

Atmospheric sampling (gas and particles) of PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, coronene) on XAD-2 resin (20 g) and glass fiber filters respectively, were performed in 2002 by using Digitel DA80 high-volume samplers equipped with a PM10 head. Samplings were performed in Strasbourg (east of France) and its vicinity (Schiltigheim and Erstein). Sites were chosen to be representative of urban (Strasbourg), suburban (Schiltigheim), and rural (Erstein) conditions. Field campaigns were undertaken simultaneously in urban, and suburban, urban and rural sites during spring and autumn during 4 h at a flow rate of 60 m³/h^?1 which gives a total of 240 m³ · h^?1 of air per sample. The period of sampling varied between 06:00 to 10:00, 11:00 to 15:00, 17:00 to 21:00 in order to evaluate a variation of concentration during automobile traffic between urban, suburban, and rural areas. Gas and particle samples were separately Soxhlet extracted for 12 h with a mixture of CH₂Cl₂/n-hexane (50:50 v/v), concentrated to about 1 mL with a rotary evaporator and finally dried under nitrogen. Dry extracts were dissolved in 1 mL of CH₃CN before analysis. Before use, traps were Soxhlet cleaned for 24 h with the same mixture as used for the extraction. Analysis of each extract was performed by reverse phase HPLC, and fluorescence detection and quantification was done with respect to triphenylene used as internal standard. Results shows that automobile traffic seems to be the main source of PAHs in urban areas whatever the period (autumn and spring) while in autumn other sources, especially coming from combustion, influence the atmospheric contamination by PAHs.     

Biosurfactant-Assisted Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Liquid Culture System and Substrate Interactions

A lipopeptide biosurfactant was produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain LBP9 isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were used as model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to study the effect of the biosurfactant on the biodegradation of mixed and sole substrate PAHs, and examine substrate interactivity effects on their biodegradation in liquid culture. At 400 mg/L amendment of lipopeptide, the solubility of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were increased to 19, 33, and 45 times their aqueous solubility, respectively, and the extent of substrate utilization rate (q_max?) of PAHs was enhanced up to three-fold in the sole substrate studies in comparison to the unamended controls. In the ternary PAH mixture at total concentration of 300 mg/L, with equal parts of each PAH, 77%, 57%, and 33% degradation of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were observed, respectively, at 400 mg/L lipopeptide amendment on day 30 of incubation. Whereas in the sole substrate experiments at 300 mg/L concentration of each PAH and the same level of lipopeptide amendment more than 98% fluoranthene and 76% pyrene were degraded and phenanthrene removal was so rapid that at day 4 of incubation more than 80% was degraded. Biosurfactants at optimum amounts enhanced biodegradation of PAHs. Lipopeptide amendments of 200 mg/L and 400 mg/L were found out to be optimum amounts for statistically significant (p < 0.05) biodegradation of the PAHs in the experiments. However, despite biosurfactant-enhanced bioavailability of the PAHs, biodegradation rate was competitively inhibited in the multisubstrate microcosms.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Occurrence and Toxicity in Camellia sinensis and Herbal Tea

ABSTRACT

This study describes a survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in 23 green, herbal, and black tea brands widely consumed in Nigeria by determining the levels of benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene (PAH2), benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene (PAH4), benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, dibenz[ah]anthracene, benzo[ghi]per-ylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (PA-H8). Toxic equivalence factor and mutagenic equivalence factor were applied to evaluate the toxic equivalence and mutagenic equivalence quotients relative to benzo[a]pyrene. The concentrations of PAHs indicate that Regulation 835/2011/EC was not fulfilled by benzo[a]anthracene, B[a]A, benzo[a]pyrene, B[a]P, benzo[b]fluoranthene, B[b]F, and chrysene, CHR. The PAH4 levels ranged from 1.28 to 44.57, 4.34 to 11.20, and 0.76 to 34.82 µg/kg in green, black, and herbal tea products, respectively. On the other hand, the PAH8 concentration varied between 1.63 and 65.73, 5.02 and 68.83, and 12.43 and 24.92 µg/kg in green, herbal, and black tea samples. The PAH4 and PAH8 provide more reliable indicators for determination of PAH contamination and risk characterization in food than PAH2.     

Characterization and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water from Liaohe River,Northeast China

ABSTRACT

In this study, the characteristics, probable source, and potential carcinogenic risk of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water of the Liaohe River were investigated. Twelve sampling points were selected, and water samples were collected in both dry and flood periods of 2011. Sample analysis indicated that the concentration of total PAHs varied from 840.50 ng/L to 4274.73 ng/L in the flood period, and from 387.76 ng/L to 1997.83 ng/L in the dry period. The representative PAHs in the flood period were benz[a]anthracene (Baa), naphthalene (Nap), and chrysene (Chr), whereas Phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Flu), and pyrene (Pyr) were the representative PAHs in the dry period. The compositional pattern of PAHs indicated that four-ring PAHs were predominant in the flood period, whereas three-ring and four-ring PAHs dominated in the dry period. The different PAH congener ratios indicated that PAHs in surface water of the Liaohe River mainly originated from a mixed source in the flood period, and from combustion in the dry period. Based on the methods of Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and the benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalent (TEQ), the potential cancer risk was quantitatively assessed, and the results suggested that there was a potential cancer risk in surface water of the Liaohe River and more attentions must be paid to the PAHs contamination. The cancer risk in the teenager group was the most, followed by the children group, adult group, and infant group, and toddler group was the least.     

Chlorinated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Associated with Drinking Water Disinfection: Synthesis,Formation under Aqueous Chlorination Conditions and Genotoxic Effects

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most persistent and toxic organic micropollutants present in water and several of them are mutagenic and carcinogenic. Although it has been shown that chlorinated derivatives of PAHs (Cl-PAHs) may be formed during the water chlorination procedure, little is known about their potential genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. The objectives of the present work were to prepare and characterize the major chlorinated derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and fluoranthene (Fluo), to develop an analytical methodology for their quantification in water samples and to analyse their potential genotoxicity. Chlorinated standards were prepared by a newly developed two phase method (water/n-hexane) using sodium hypochlorite. 6-Chloro-benzo[a]pyrene was selectively obtained from BaP, while 1,3-dichloro-fluoranthene and 3-chloro-fluoranthene were obtained from Fluo. All products were isolated and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The formation of BaP- and Fluo-chlorinated derivatives under aqueous chlorination conditions was observed using a SPE-HPLC-FLD methodology. In addition, the cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of the three chlorinated derivatives were analyzed in comparison to their parent compounds, in a human-derived hepatoma cell line using the neutral red uptake and comet assays, respectively. The results showed that, at the equimolar doses of 100 and 125 μM, 6-Cl-BaP was able to induce a significantly higher level of DNA damage than BaP, suggesting a more potent genotoxic effect. In contrast, neither Fluo nor its chlorinated derivatives were genotoxic in the same cell line. The identification of new and possibly hazardous water chlorination by-product from PAHs emphasizes the need to minimize total organic carbon content of raw water and the implementation of safer water disinfection methods.     

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN BALTIC SEA SEDIMENTS

Present concentrations of parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in bottom sediments of the Baltic Sea. Sediments were collected in 2001 and 2002 from the Gulf of Finland, the Northern Baltic Proper, the Eastern Gotland Basin, the Southern Baltic Proper, and Kattegat. Parent PAHs were quantified by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The sum of 13 PAHs in 1 cm slices in the first 5 cm varied between 64 and 5161 ng/g (dw) depending on the bottom type. The most contaminated area was in the Eastern Gotland Basin, and the most abundant PAH components found in sediments were fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. The studied PAHs were both pyrolytic and petrogenic in origin. In addition, the concentrations of indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene indicated a contribution from diesel engines, which may indicate pollution caused by the steadily increased shipping in the Baltic Sea.     

IN VITRO INTESTINAL TRANSFER AND METABOLISM OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

Though polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) transfer through intestinal epithelium seems principally governed by transcellular diffusion, other mechanisms may interfere. Several studies suggest a PAH metabolism via CYP450, particularly in liver, but only few data are available regarding intestinal barrier. This in vitro work aimed at studying PAH metabolism and its consequences on the transfer in the intestinal epithelium according to molecule physicochemical properties. It used ¹⁴C-labeled benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene, and phenanthrene. Medium analysis proved a metabolism in intestinal cells for each PAH. Parallel metabolism appeared to play a positive role in the intestinal transfer of PAHs under different forms: ¹⁴C from benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene, and phenanthrene were respectively transferred 26, 4, and 2 times less when cells were incubated with CYP450 inhibitors. Generally speaking, the faster and the higher a PAH crosses intestinal barrier, the less metabolized it will be.     

DETERMINATION OF DIBENZO[A,L]PYRENE AND OTHER FJORD-REGION PAH ISOMERS WITH MW 302 IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occur in the environment as complex mixtures including compounds with mutagenic and carcinogenic activity. The PAH profile routinely determined in environmental samples at present encompasses isomers with molecular weight (MW) not greater than 300. However, PAHs with MW >300 have been demonstrated for several matrices to contribute up to 50% of the total activity when tested for carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Recent studies indicate that among the dibenzopyrenes with MW 302 dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, possessing a fjord region, is by far the most carcinogenic PAH hitherto identified. To further elucidate the environmental relevance of this compound we have applied the isotope dilution GC/MS technique as analytical procedure to determine this compound and the related fjord region PAH naphtho[1,2-a]- and naphtho[1,2-e]pyrene in various matrices. Identification was based on comparison of UV and mass spectra as well as retention times of authentic reference materials. Determination of these PAHs was achieved after clean-up by several chromatographic steps including fractionation on a modified TABA-silica gel column. Quantitative data for matrices such as two cigarette smoke condensates, motor vehicle exhaust condensate (Otto-type engines), and tar-cork are reported. Based on toxic equivalent factors the relative contribution of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (5.4–42.3%) to the total carcinogenic activity of a PAH profile will be discussed comprising 14 selected isomers (benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene; cyclopenta[cd]pyrene; benz[a]anthracene; chrysene/triphenylene; sum of benzo[b]-, benzo[k]-, and benzo[j]fluoranthene; benzo[a]pyrene; indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene; dibenz[a,h]anthracene; benzo[ghi]perylene; anthanthrene; dibenzo[a,l]pyrene determined in these matrices.     

不同加热模式对山茶油中多环芳烃累积的影响

采用凝胶渗透色谱净化,结合气相色谱-质谱法对山茶油加热过程中累积的18种多环芳烃残留进行了检测。对不同加热模式(加热时长、加热次数、加热温度)对山茶油中多环芳烃累积的影响进行了考察,结果表明:当加热时长为6 h,重复加热次数为12,加热温度200℃接近山茶油烟点时,山茶油中的PAHs总量为183.389μg/kg,其中苯并[b]荧蒽、苯并[a]芘和苯并[g,h,i]苝这三种高致癌性PAHs含量达到本实验的最大值。加热时长延伸、重复加热次数增多或加热温度提升均对山茶油中PAHs的累积有明显促进作用。     

Monitoring and Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Atmosphere of Alexandria City,Egypt

The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the total suspended particulate (TSP) were measured simultaneously between January 30, 2015 and February 11, 2016 at urban, suburb, and rural sites at Alexandria City, Egypt, using pesticide samplers. Samples were extracted and analyzed using chromatography–mass spectrometric (GC–MS). There was a significant difference in concentrations between the three sites, and between particle- and vapor-phases. Mean total PAH concentrations were 502.48, 322.57, and 417.23 ng m^?3 for the urban, the rural, and the suburban sites in particulate-phase and were 723.49, 402.26, and 543.15 for the same sites in vapor-phase, respectively. At the three sites, the most abundant compounds determined were Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), followed by Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and Indeno [1,2,3-cd] pyrene (IcdP). These high molecular weight compounds are carcinogenic and known to originate mainly from vehicular emissions. The diagnostic ratios indicated PAHs in urban and suburban sites were predominantly from gasoline and diesel engines, while that in rural site was from biomass burning. Characterization of the emission sources was further substantiated by significant correlation between individual PAH species.     

LONG TERM MONITORING OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHS) IN BLUE MUSSELS (Mytilus edulis) FROM A REMOTE SCOTTISH LOCATION

Farmed mussels have been collected on a monthly basis since 1999 from a remote site on the west coast of Scotland for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) analysis with the aim of establishing background concentrations as a benchmark against which to assess any environmental incident. Total PAH (2- to 6-ring parent and alkylated) concentrations ranged from 12.5 to 151.2 μg kg^?1 wet weight. Seasonal trends were evident with concentrations being significantly higher for samples collected between November and March compared to those collected between April and October. By taking the median of medians for each of these time periods two background concentrations are suggested for the total PAH concentrations (2- to 6-ring PAHs parent and alkylated); for April to October: 31.2 μg kg^?1 wet weight and for November to March: 62.9 μg kg^?1 wet weight. Individual PAH concentrations were mainly below the OSPAR Background Assessment Concentrations (BACs), where they are specified, and were only exceeded for the heavier 4- and 5-ring PAHs (fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene) in samples collected between November and March. Differences were also seen in the PAH profiles with season. Mussels collected between November and March had a higher proportion of the heavier PAHs compared to mussels collected in the summer and autumn.     

Distribution,Sources, and Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Core Sediments from Baiyangdian Lake,China

The burial characteristics and risks of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in core sediments from Baiyangdian Lake were investigated through gas-chromato graphy/mass spectrometry. The total concentrations of the 16 PAHs ranged from 39.48–1877.75 ng g^?1. The low-molecular-weight PAHs (two- to three-ring PAHs) were the dominant species, contributing 40.10–92.18% to the total PAHs, with a mean of 71.01%. Based on the observed molecular indices and on principal component analysis, the PAHs inputs were initially dominated by biomass and coal combustion, and atmospheric deposition and surface runoff could be the major transport pathways. The contaminated source characteristics, hydrodynamic condition, and sediment textural composition are the key factors affecting the distribution and source of PAHs. By conducting a risk quotient analysis between specific PAH concentrations and their corresponding sediment quality values, the top layer sediments were found to have a potential biological impact and relatively high toxicity. However, such impact should have no impairment. The toxic potency of PAHs in Baiyangdian Lake could be described by using the toxic equivalent of benzo[a]pyrene.     

Synthesis and application of a molecularly imprinted polymer as a filter to reduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in mainstream cigarette smoke

The design and fabrication of novel filter is a promising approach to realize the reduction of harmful substance in mainstream cigarette smoke. In our work, a kind of pyrene (PYR) imprinted polymer as a part of improved filter has been successfully synthesized for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mainstream cigarette smoke. The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) showed an good affinity towards PYR with binding capacity (Q_max) of 18.33 mg/g. Accordingly, the MIPs were used as a solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent for the extraction and enrichment of PAHs in mixed samples to evaluate the selectivity about the MIPs. When the cellulose acetate (CA)-filter was replaced by a MIPs-filter, the amount of PAHs in the mainstream smoke was reduced by 63.6%. The application will provide technical support for the design of functional filters to reduce the harms brought by cigarette suction.     

Aerobic biodegradation and inhibition kinetics of poly‐aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a petrochemical industry wastewater in the presence of biosurfactants

BACKROUND: In Izmir, Turkey, wastewaters from the petrochemical industry are treated using conventional activated sludge systems. A significant proportion of poly‐aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with high‐molecular weights remains in this treatment system and inhibits the biological activity. Biosurfactants increase PAHs degradation by enhancing the solubility of the petroleum components. The aerobic inhibition kinetics of PAHs has not previously been investigated in the presence of biosurfactants for a real petrochemical industry wastewater. RESULTS: Among the kinetic models used (Monod‐type, zero, first‐order and second‐order) it was found that the Monod kinetic was effective for describing the biodegradation of PAHs in petrochemcal industry wastewater in the presence of three biosurfactants, namely Rhamnolipid (RD), Surfactine (SR) and Emulsan (EM) in an aerobic activated sludge reactor (AASR). The maximum PAH removal rate (R_max) and specific growth rate of PAH degrading bacteria (µ_max) increased, while the half saturation concentration of PAH (K_s) decreased at 15 mg L^?1 RD concentration compared with the control without biosurfactant at a sludge retention time (SRT) of 25 days. CONCLUSION: PAH oxidation is typified by competitive inhibition at RD concentrations > 15 mg L^?1 resulting in increases in K_s values with PAH accumulation. Low inhibition constant (K_ID) values reflect difficulties in the metabolizability of PAHs. Metabolite production decreased at RD = 25 mg L^?1 in the PAHs indeno (1,2,3‐cd) pyrene (IcdP), flourene (FLN), phenanthrene (PHE) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Overview of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC)

The chemical group of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC), including the better-known subgroup of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the heterocyclic aromatic compounds (NSO-PAC, heterocycles), comprise several thousand individual compounds. It is hard to find a comprehensive overview in the literature of these PACs that includes a substantial amount of relevant properties. Here an attempt is made to summarize the most studied but also some less well-known PACs. In addition to basic data such as recommended names, abbreviations, CAS numbers, molecular formulas, chemical structures, and exact mono-isotopic molecular weights, physico-chemical properties taken from the literature like boiling points, vapor pressures, water solubilities, Henry's Law constants, n-octanol-water partition coefficients (log K_OW), and pK_a are summarized. Selected toxicological data are listed indicating carcinogenic and mutagenic activity or effects on different organisms.

PAC nomenclature is a complex topic, so suggestions for practical use are made. Regarding available data, estimated (instead of measured) values should be used with caution because considerable deviations from experimentally determined values can occur. For an enhanced understanding of the behavior of single PACs in comparison with each other, some of the properties mentioned above are plotted vs. the number of rings or the degree of alkylation. Also, some physico-chemical data are correlated with different functional groups as substituents of the PAHs.

This article reveals that rather little is known about the less common PACs, e.g., higher molecular weight compounds, alkylated or otherwise substituted aromatics, for instance, keto-, oxo-, amino-, nitro-, cyano-PAHs, or some heterocyclic aromatic compounds, including their derivatives. It mirrors the limited state of knowledge about the variety of PACs that do not belong to the 16 EPA PAHs.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Determination in Grilled Beef and Chicken

ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are principally formed as a result of thermal treatment of food, especially grilling or barbecuing. In the present study, two types of Iranian popular grilled beef and chicken dishes (kebab) were analyzed for toxic PAHs, i.e., naphthalene, fluoranthene, phenanthtrene, anthracene, pyrene, and benzo(a)pyrene applying GC/MS. The differences in PAHs concentrations among grilled beef and chicken (kebab koobide and juje kebab) were found to be significant (p < 0.05), ranging from 0.29 to 21.95 ng·g^?1. Benzo(a)pyrene was found in nearly all samples; the maximum concentration of total PAHs was 21.95 ng·g^?1 found in grilled beef (koobide Khalij fars) and the lowest was 0.29 ng·g^?1 in grilled chicken (juje kebab) of Sahel restaurant.     

Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solution by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide modified fibric peat

BACKGROUND: Fibric peat was modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) to improve its performance in sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The raw fibric peat (P‐R) and surfactant modified peat (P‐HTAB) were characterized by capillary rise test to determine the effect of HTAB on surface hydrophobicity. Effect of contact time was also investigated. Batch sorption data were fitted to the Freundlich model and pseudo‐second‐order model for isotherm and kinetics study. RESULTS: P‐HTAB had a more hydrophobic surface than P‐R. After modification, the sorption coefficients (K_OC) of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene on fibric peat increased from 1590, 29661 and 204171 mL g^?1 to 2006, 52410 and 358569 mL g^?1, respectively; the sorption rate constants of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene increased from 0.00057, 0.00036 and 0.00051 g µg^?1 min^?1 to 0.00062, 0.00140 and 0.00155 g µg^?1 min^?1, respectively. The sorption coefficients of PAHs were positively correlated with the octane‐water partition coefficients of PAHs. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrophobicity of fibric peat was enhanced through modification by HTAB, which resulted in the improved sorption rate and sorption capacity for PAHs. The sorption performance of P‐HTAB reveals that it is an effective biosorbent for PAHs and has potential for treatment of wastewater containing hydrophobic organic contaminants. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Photodegradation of Selected Aromatic Constituents of Creosote in Organic Solvents

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene were irradiated in acetonitrile (CH₃CN) and in dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) on individual PAH compounds and in the presence of other compounds. The observed photodegradation of PAHs was dependent on the structure of the compound. Anthracene and pyrene were the most photoreactive in dichloromethane: with total degradation after 0.5 h irradiation for anthracene and 1.5 h for pyrene. The decomposition of PAHs was faster in dichloromethane than in acetonitrile.     

Biodegradation Capability and Enzymatic Variation of Potentially Hazardous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons—Anthracene and Pyrene by Anabaena fertilissima

This study encompasses the biodegradation capacity of Anabaena fertilissima to model PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon) compounds namely Anthracene (ANT) and Pyrene (PYR) at different LC₅₀ concentrations viz., 5.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L, respectively, on growth in terms of Chlorophyll-a and protein. Depletion in chlorophyll-a and protein content was registered with rise in PAHs concentration while the inhibition of nitrogen fixing enzymes such as nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity was also concentration dependent and showed more sensitivity for high molecular weight aromatic compound PYR as compared to ANT. GC/MS analysis explained the degradation of ANT by 46% and PYR by 33%, at 5.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the common degraded product for ANT was 2, 4-Dimethyl-1-heptene and for PYR it was 2, 3, 4-Trimethylhexane. Results indicate that PYR was more stable and recalcitrant compared to ANT. This study suggests that Anabaena fertilissima could be used for bioremediation of ANT and PYR pollution in surface waters and terrestrial environments.