Oxidation and Accumulation of Benzo(a)pyrene in the Presence of the Baltic Algae

Abstract

In batch experiments with 0.5 nM benzo(a)pyrene in artificial sea water there are investigated the distribution and degradation of benzopyrene in the presence of various plants: Cladophora glomerata, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Fucus vesiculosus and Chara aspera (in each case 10 … 20 g/l dry weight). The conversion of benzopyrene in the presence of the plants is considerably promoted compared with the pure autoxidation, except in the presence of Fucus. Obviously, there prevails initially the accumulation of benzopyrene in the biomass. Whereas for Fucus even after 10 d still 89% of benzopyrene can be detected in the biomass, in the other species a degradation of benzopyrene in the biomass takes place, the respective oxidation products as diols, quinones and phenols being detected in the biomass in proportionately higher concentrations. With the exception of Fucus, the degradation of benzopyrene comes up to 40 … 60% within a period of 5 … 6d with the other species tested.