Effects of ultraviolet-B light and polyaromatic hydrocarbon exposure on sea urchin development and bacterial bioluminescence

摘要

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are relatively common contaminants of the Gulf of Mexico and may be activated to more toxic metabolites by ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light. A marine bacterial bioassay system ( Vibrio fischeri) which focused on the reduction of luciferase- mediated bioluminescence was utihzed as a measure of toxicity to concurrent exposure to anthracene, benzo[alpyrene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene and UV-B light (λ=280-320 nm). Inhibition of bactenal bioluminescence was observed following exposure to naphthalene (5 and 10 ppm) and phenanthrene (5 and 10 ppm) for 5 and 15 min. UV-B significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the average bacterial bioluminescence in all treatments by 23.8/100, as compared to control.