Chronic toxicity of phenanthrene to the marine polychaete worm, Nereis (Neanthes) arenaceodentata.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed in the environment. While environmental concentrations are generally below acutely lethal levels (Hyland and Schneider 1976), chronic, low level exposures may result in subtle sublethal effects. PAHs accumulate in bottom sediments and may represent a hazard to the benthos. Polychaetes are important members of this community (Officer and Lynch 1989). The objective of this study is to evaluate the chronic sublethal effects of one PAH, phenanthrene (PHN), on the polychaete worm, Nereis (Neanthes) arenaceodentata. PHN was selected because of its high toxicity to marine invertebrates relative to other PAHs (Neff 1979).