Phenanthrene kinetics in blue crab from dietary sources

The disposition of many PAHs have been intensively studied.^1–3 However, many questions need to be examined on the fate of low-level PAH assimilation. Included among these are models of bioaccumulation and transport. In this study sexually mature male and female blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) were administered known doses of ¹⁴C-phenanthrene by gavage. Accumulation from the gut and elimination from the whole body were determined for single and multiple dose studies. The data were applied to models describing absorption site kinetics and fluctuations in body burden.^3–7 For both sexes absorption and elimination follow first-order kinetics. Elimination of phenanthrene in male crabs declines as a single first-order rate process while in the female crabs a biexponential pattern indicates two phases of elimination, not a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model.⁸ No storage of phenanthrene should occur except for recent exposures. However, a stepwise accumulation of metabolites occurs with successive dosing.