Behavioral and histopathological effects of fluoranthene on bullfrog larvae (Rana catesbeiana)

The goals of this study were to use behavioral and histopathological endpoints to examine the sublethal effects of fluoranthene exposure in conjunction with solar ultraviolet radiation on bullfrog larvae, Exposure to fluoranthene and simulated solar ultraviolet radiation for 48 h caused a significant effect on locomotor behavior at 60 mu g fluoranthene/L. At 96 h, however, hyperactivity was noted in the 40-mu g fluoranthene/L exposure. The skin of bullfrog larvae was sensitive to the phototoxic effects of fluoranthene. Following exposure to sublethal levels of fluoranthene (10 mu g fluoranthene/L) there were signs of necrosis as well as structural alterations in the skin when examined using light microscopy. Based on these results, the photoinduced toxicity of fluoranthene, and hence other phototoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pose a potential hazard to ranid larvae well within the water solubility limits of the compound.