The oxicity assesment of Phenanthrene (PHE) has been investigated by using the rate (r) of survival and population growth in rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. The survival rate was determined after 24 h of exposure to PHE. The survival rate of PHE had no effect at a maximum of 300 mg L-1. The r was determined after 72 h of exposure to PHE. It was observed that r in the controls (absence PHE) was greater than 0.5, but that it suddenly decreased with an increased concentration of PHE. PHE reduced r in a dose-dependent manner and a significant reduction occurred at a concentration of greater than 37.5 mg L-1. The EC50 value of r in PHE exposure was 63.7 mg L-1. The no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) of r in PHE exposure was 18.8 mg L-1. The lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) of r in the PHE exposure was 37.5 mg L-1. From the results, the concentration of PHE (greater than 37.5 mg L-1) has a toxic effect on the r of B. plicatilis in natural ecosystems. These results (including NOEC, LOEC and EC50) might be useful for the Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) toxicity assessment in marine ecosystems.