Toxicity identification evaluation of phototoxic agents from an oil-contaminated sediment

Grand Calumet River sediments from the industrial area of northwest Indiana have been found to contain polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fractions that are highly toxic to aquatic organisms when exposed to sunlight. The phototoxic reaction is distinct from photolysis and is believed to require both bioaccumulation and exposure of the organism to UV. Partial characterization of the active fractions have been accomplished by a combination of solid-phase extraction and HPLC, followed by bioassay. Since most PAH have a high affinity for soil and sediment, the question remains as to why these compounds are so readily available for uptake by organisms. Both sorbent interactions and degradation to more polar products are possible mechanisms for enhancing bioavailability