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Abstract
A study of the bioavailability of fluoranthene to Daphnia magna (Cladocera) was carried out. Acute toxicity of fluoranthene to Daphnia magna was assessed in various conditions: co-solvent, darkness, classical laboratory lighting, UV exposure, presence or absence of microalgae. Bioaccumulation of fluoranthene in daphnids was also determined. In the dark, the toxicity of fluoranthene was low. Following a 2-h exposure under UV light (254 nm), toxicity increased to a great extent. Under fluorescent light, phototoxicity was also observed. The bioaccumulation of fluoranthene in the dark was maximal after 24 h exposure and related to the aqueous fluoranthene content. No differences were found between both co-solvents. In the presence of microalgae, fluoranthene was far less toxic, whereas bioaccumulation was unchanged. Adsorption of fluoranthene on algae could not explain this lower toxicity which might be due to either absorption of light by algae or a protective effect of algal carotenoid pigments against phototoxicity.