2-methylbutan-1-ol

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

The ready biodegradability of the test substance was investigated according to OECD Guideline 310 (Ready Biodegradability - CO2 in Sealed Vessels (Headspace Test). The test substance was degraded 93 % in 18 days, therefore the test substance was found to be readily-biodegradable under the test conditions. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

The ready biodegradability of the test substance 2-methylbutan-1-ol was investigated according to OECD Guideline 310 (Ready Biodegradability - CO2 in Sealed Vessels (Headspace Test). The biodegradation of the test substance was followed by exposing it to the active sludge of a domestic waste water treatment plant, non-adapted. The active sludge concentration was 800 mg/L. The concentration of the test substance was 30 mg/L. As reference compound (procedure control), aniline was tested simultaneously under the same test conditions. The aniline was biodegraded by an average of 83 % after 14 days. The validity criterion was met. The test substance was degraded 93 % in 18 days, therefore the test substance 2 -methylbutan-1-ol was found to be readily-biodegradable under the test conditions.

In addition the biodegradability of the other category members was assessed. The ready biodegradability of the surrogate test substance pentan-1 -ol was examined according to ISO DIS 9439 (Ultimate aerobic biodegradability – Method by Analysis of Released Carbon Dioxide). The biodegradation of the test substance was followed by exposing it to the active sludge of a domestic waste water treatment plant, non-adapted. The active sludge concentration was 150 mg/L. The concentration of the test substance was 59 mg/L. As reference compound (procedure control), aniline was tested simultaneously under the same test conditions. The aniline was biodegraded by an average of > 60 % after 14 days. The validity criterion was met. The test substance was degraded by 80 - 90 % (CO2 evolution) and 90 -100 % (DOC removal) after 28 days. The surrogate test substance was found to be ready biodegradable under the test conditions. The 10 days window criterion was also fulfilled.

Further, the ready biodegradability of the surrogate test substance pentanol branched and lineal was examined according to OECD 310 (Ready biodegradability – CO2 in Sealed Vessels (Headspace Test). The biodegradation of the surrogate test substance was followed by exposing it to the active sludge of a domestic waste water treatment plant, non-adapted. As reference compound (procedure control), aniline was tested simultaneously under the same test conditions. The aniline was biodegraded by an average of 78 % (TIC/TOC) after 14 days. In consequently the validity criteria was met. The surrogate test substance was degraded 100 % in 18 days. The surrogate test substance pentanol branched and lineal was found to be readily-biodegradable under the test conditions.

Supplementary the ready biodegradability of the surrogate test substance 3-methylbutan-1-ol was examined according to the OECD 301 F (Ready Biodegradability: Manometric Respirometric Test). The biodegradation of the test surrogate substance was followed by exposing it to the active sludge of a domestic waste water treatment plant also non-adapted. The surrogate test substance was degraded 84 % in 27 days and the 10 days window criteria was fulfilled. The surrogate test substance 3-methylbutan-1-ol was found to be readily-biodegradable under test conditions.

Based on the available data and the test results of the other read-across category members the target substance is considered to be readily biodegradable.