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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Reference
Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
12-12-1994 to 09-01-1995
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Guideline study performed under GLP. All relevant validity criteria were met.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 301 D (Ready Biodegradability: Closed Bottle Test)
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.4-E (Determination of the "Ready" Biodegradability - Closed Bottle Test)
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
EPA OPPTS 835.3110 (Ready Biodegradability)
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Remarks:
inspected: January 1994 ; signature: March 1994
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
activated sludge, domestic, non-adapted
Details on inoculum:
- Source of inoculum/activated sludge (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): mixed population of sewage sludge micro-organisms was obtained from the final effluent stage of the Severn Trent Water Plc sewage treatment plant at Belper, Derbyshire UK, which treats predominantly domestic sewage.
- Laboratory culture: See below.
- Method of cultivation: See below.
- Storage conditions: Room temperature (at 21°C).
- Storage length: Used on day of collection (< 1 week).
- Preparation of inoculum for exposure: The sample of activated sewage sludge was allowed to settle for approximately 1 hour, the supernatant removed and maintained on continuous aeration at a temperature of 21°C prior to use.
- Pretreatment: See above.
- Concentration of sludge: 1 drop per litre (is typically around 0.05 mL, to 5 ml/L per guideline).
- Initial cell/biomass concentration: Not reported.
- Water filtered: yes (water used to prepare culture medium).
- Type and size of filter used, if any: Aerated reverse osmosis purified and deionised water. The 'dilution water' was kept in a temperature controlled room, at approximately 21 °C, under gentle aeration for 24 hours prior to use.
Duration of test (contact time):
28 d
Initial conc.:
1.5 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
O2 consumption
Details on study design:
TEST CONDITIONS
- Composition of medium: Solution a: KH2PO4 8.50 g/L; K2HPO4 21.75 g/L; Na2HPO4.12H2O 33.40 g/L ; NH4Cl 0.50 g/L ; pH = 7.4 ; Solution c: MgSO4.7H2O 22.50 g/L ; Solution b: CaCl2 27.50 g/L ; Solution d: FeCl3.6H2O 0.25 g/L. 1 litre medium contains: 1 mL of solution (A to (D) and made up to 1 litre aerated reverse osmosis purified and deionised water . The concentration of dissolved oxygen was measured for control purposes. Test item concentration: In duplicate at 1.5 mg/L. Procedure control: Reference substance sodium benzoate, concentration 3 mg/L; Toxicity control: concentration 1.5 mg/L sodium benzoate plus 1.5 mg/L test item.
- Solubilising agent (type and concentration if used): None
- Test temperature: The BOD bottles were incubated in a temperature controlled water bath at 21°C.
- pH: No.
- pH adjusted: No.
- Aeration of dilution water: Yes.
- Suspended solids concentration: Not reported.
- Continuous darkness: Yes.

TEST SYSTEM
- Culturing apparatus: 250-300 mL darkened BOD bottles with glass stoppers
- Number of culture flasks/concentration: In duplicate. The test media were transferred by siphon to BOD bottles, which were firmly stoppered to exclude all air bubbles. Sufficient bottles were prepared to allow a single oxygen determination per bottle with duplicate bottles for each test medium at each sampling occasion.
- Measuring equipment: Yellow Springs oxygen meter and BOD Probe.
- Test performed in closed vessels due to significant volatility of test substance: No.
- Test performed in open system: No.
- Details of trap for CO2 and volatile organics if used: Not applicable.

SAMPLING
- Sampling frequency: In duplicate; on Days 0, 3, 6, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 28
- Sampling method: See measuring equipment and sampling frequency above.
- Sterility check if applicable: Not reported.

CONTROL AND BLANK SYSTEM
- Inoculum blank: Yes.
- Abiotic sterile control: No.
- Toxicity control: Yes.
- Other: Positive control - using reference item (Sodium Benzoate) only..
Reference substance:
benzoic acid, sodium salt
Remarks:
3 mg/L
Test performance:
1. Oxygen depletion did not exceed 1.5 mgO2/L after 28 days in inoculated controls
2. The repeatability validity criterion (not more than 20% difference between replicates) is fulfilled on day 28.
3. Sodium Benzoate attained > 60% at 14 days and 81% degradation at 28 days thereby confirming the suitability of the inoculum and test conditions.
4. Oxygen concentrations were > 0.5 mg/L in all bottles during the test period
5. Inhibition of the degradation of a well-degradable compound, e.g. sodium Benzoate by the test item in the Closed Bottle test was not found, the toxicity control attained in excess of > 28% degradation by day 14. After 28 days the toxicity control achieved 42% degradation.
Parameter:
% degradation (O2 consumption)
Value:
24
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: mean % degradation; 1.5 mg/L test item concentration
Results with reference substance:
Sodium Benzoate attained > 60% at 14 days and 81% degradation at 28 days thereby confirming the suitability of the inoculum and test conditions.

Table 1. Dissolved oxygen measurements

Test Series

Replicate

Dissolved Oxygen (mg O2/L)

Day

0

3

6

9

11

16

18

28

a) Culture Medium with Inoculum

R1

8.90

8.50

8.40

8.35

8.20

8.00

8.00

7.90

R2

8.90

8.55

8.50

8.35

8.25

8.05

8.00

7.85

b) Sodium Benzoate (3 mg/L) with Inoculum

R1

8.90

7.10

6.80

6.30

5.00

4.50

4.25

3.90

R2

8.90

7.10

6.70

6.10

5.00

4.35

4.40

3.70

c) Test Item ( 1.5 mg/L) with Inoculum

R1

8.90

8.10

8.00

7.75

7.60

7.20

7.00

6.90

R2

8.90

8.30

7.90

7.75

7.60

7.30

7.05

6.85

d) Test Item (1.5 mg/L) plus Sodium Benzoate (1.5 mg/L) with Inoculum

R1

8.90

7.10

6.90

6.85

6.30

6.00

5.55

5.05

R2

8.90

7.15

6.95

6.75

6.40

5.95

5.45

5.10

 

Table 2. Oxygen Depletion and Mean Percentage Biodegradation Values

Test Series

Replicate

3

6

9

11

16

18

28

a ) Culture Medium with Inoculum

Mean O2 Depletion (mg O2/L)

 

0.375

0.450

0.550

0.675

0.875

0.900

1.025

b) Sodium Benzoate (3 mg/L) with Inoculum

O2 Depletion (mg O2/L)

R1

1.425

1.650

2.050

3.225

3.525

3.750

3.975

R2

1.425

1.750

2.250

3.225

3.675

3.600

4.175

% Degradation (mean)

 

28

34

43

64

72

74

81

c) Test Item ( 1.5 mg/L) with Inoculum

O2 Depletion (mg O2/L)

R1

0.425

0.450

0.600

0.625

0.825

1.000

0.975

R2

0.225

0.550

0.600

0.625

0.725

0.950

1.025

% Degradation (mean)

 

8

12

14

15

18

23

24

d) Test Item (1.5 mg/L) plus Sodium Benzoate (1.5 mg/L) with Inoculum

O2 Depletion (mg O2/L)

R1

1.425

1.550

1.500

1.925

2.025

2.450

2.825

R2

1.375

1.500

1.600

1.825

2.075

2.550

2.775

% Degradation (mean)

 

21

23

23

28

31

37

42

 

Other information:

- The oxygen depletion of the inoculated control did not exceed 1.5 mg O2/L after 28 days, the residual oxygen concentration in the test bottles remained at > 5.0 mg O2/L or greater in all test vessels.

- The difference between the extremes of replicate oxygen depletion values at the end of the test was less than 20% in all vessels thereby satisfying the validation criteria.

- On Day 14 the toxicity control had attained > 28% degradation. After 28 days the toxicity control had attained 42% degradation.

- The positive control or standard reference item: sodium benzoate, attained 81% degradation after 28 days thereby confirming the suitability of the test method and culture conditions.

Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
not readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
The mean biodegradation in duplicate was 24% at day 28.
Executive summary:

The ready biodegradability test was carried out according to OECD 301D (Ready Biodegradability: Closed Bottle Test) and EU Method C4-E guidelines under GLP. The test item, at a concentration of 1.5 mg/l, was exposed to sewage treatment micro-organisms with culture medium in sealed culture vessels in the dark at 21°C for 28 days. The degradation of the test item was assessed by the determination of the amount of oxygen consumed. Control solutions with inoculum and the standard item, sodium benzoate, together with a toxicity control were used for validation purposes. Oxygen concentration measurements were in duplicate; on Days 0, 3, 6, 9, 11, 16, 18 and 28. In the toxicity control, the test substance was found not to inhibit microbial activity. All of the validity criteria for the test were met. Under the conditions of this study, the test item attained 24% degradation after 28 days and therefore cannot be considered as readily biodegradable.

Description of key information

Biodegradation: not readily biodegradable, mean biodegradation 24% (28 -days), OECD TG 301D, closed bottle test, 1995

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Type of water:
freshwater

Additional information

Key study : OECD TG 301D, 1995 : The ready biodegradability test was carried out according to OECD 301D (Ready Biodegradability: Closed Bottle Test) and EU Method C4-E guidelines under GLP. The test item, at a concentration of 1.5 mg/l, was exposed to sewage treatment micro-organisms with culture medium in sealed culture vessels in the dark at 21°C for 28 days. The degradation of the test item was assessed by the determination of the amount of oxygen consumed. Control solutions with inoculum and the standard item, sodium benzoate, together with a toxicity control were used for validation purposes. Oxygen concentration measurements were in duplicate; on Days 0, 3, 6, 9, 11, 16, 18 and 28. In the toxicity control, the test substance was found not to inhibit microbial activity. All of the validity criteria for the test were met. Under the conditions of this study, the test item attained 24% degradation after 28 days and therefore cannot be considered as readily biodegradable.