Persistence of Benz[a]anthracene Degradation Products in an Enclosed Marine Ecosystem

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1987

Abstract

Carbon-14-labeled benz [a] anthracene was introduced into an enclosed marine ecosystem that had planktonic primary production and a heterotrophic benthos. Benz-[a] anthracene, labeled CO2, and operationally defined fractions of labeled degradation products were followed in water and sediments for 202 days. The major fraction of intermediate degradation products was sufficiently water soluble so as not to be readily extractable with organic solvents and at the end was still slowly decaying to CO2. Both the parent benz [a] anthracene and degradation products found in the sediment appear to become protected from further alteration after about 2 months and may persist indefinitely. © 1987, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Environmental Science and Technology

Volume

21

Issue

7

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