A Summary and Evaluation of Aquatic Environmental Data in Relation to Establishing Water Quality Criteria for Munitions-Unique Compounds. Part 3. White Phosphorus.

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to review the effects of white phosphorus (WP) on the aquatic environment and to recommend water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic organisms. Chemical properties, analytical methods, manufacturing wastewater characteristics, and environmental fate of WP are reviewed and discussed. Four freshwater algae were exposed to WP concentrations ranging from 7 to 670 microns g/1. Two procaryotic species, Anabaena flos-aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa, showed a biostimulatory growth. Conversely, two eucaryotic species, Navicula pelliculosa and Selenastrum capricornutum showed growth inhibition. N. pelliculosa was the more sensitive with significant effects apparent at 20 microns g/1. Two marine species, Fucus distichus and Fucus vesticulosus, showed bioconcentration factors of 22X and 23X when exposed to 15 micron g/1 WP for 48 hours.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA083625

Entities

People

  • B. C. Pruitt Jr.
  • H. D. Putnam
  • J. C. Nichols
  • J. H. Sullivan Jr.
  • M. A. Keirn

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Animal Structures
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Crystal Structure
  • Databases
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Eutrophication
  • Fish
  • Fisheries
  • Habitats
  • Salt Water

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Microbial Pathology
  • Surface Coatings Technology.