Ammonium bromide

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1976

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Scenedesmus quadricauda

Limit test:

no

Duration:

7 d

Dose descriptor:

other: Toxicity threshold

Effect conc.:

2 800 mg/L

Basis for effect:

other: cell count

Test result is equivalent to: 2170 mg(Br-)/L for the bromide ion

Reference 2

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1979

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: other: method in agreement with "concepts of the Dutch Standardisation Institute"

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

other: other algae

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

34 000 mg/L

Basis for effect:

other: not stated

Test result is equivalent to: EC50 = 26400 mg(Br-)/L for the bromide ion

Reference 3

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1983

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Dutch Standardisation Organisation (1980; NEN 6501, 6502, 6504 & 6506)

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test organisms (species):

Scenedesmus pannonicus

Limit test:

no

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

10.9 g/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

biomass

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

3.2 g/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

biomass

Test result is equivalent to: EC50 8.46 g(Br-)/L for the bromide ion

Reference 4

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1965

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Chlorella vulgaris

Limit test:

no

Dose descriptor:

other: Lowest inhibitory concentration

Effect conc.:

> 0.5 mol/L

Basis for effect:

other: lowest inhibitory concentration

Reference 5

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2000

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test)

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

ISO 10253 (Water quality - Marine Algal Growth Inhibition Test with Skeletonema costatum and Phaeodactylum tricornutum)

GLP compliance:

yes

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Details on sampling:

Every 24 hours

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Guillard’s f/2 medium + Si
Mineral composition, hardness (Ca + Mg), chelators and pH not stated

Test organisms (species):

Skeletonema costatum

Details on test organisms:

Criteria Details
Species Skeletonema costatum
Strain CCAP1077/5
Source Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Dunstaffnage
Laboratory culture Yes
Method of cultivation Not specified
Pretreatment Not specified
Initial cell concentration Approximately 8140 cells per mL

Test type:

static

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

72 h

Post exposure observation period:

no further details

Hardness:

not stated

Test temperature:

18.7-21.8 °C

pH:

Start: 7.92-7.95
End: 7.72-7.98

Dissolved oxygen:

not stated

Salinity:

not stated

Nominal and measured concentrations:

0, 100.0, 177.8, 316.2, 562.3, 1000.0 nominal

Details on test conditions:

Criteria
Details
Volume of culture flasks
250 mL
Culturing apparatus
Rotary incubator
Light quality
Light described as continuous
Procedure for suspending algae
Not specified
Number of vessels/ concentration
3 per concentration (6 for the control tests)
Test performed in closed vessels due to significant volatility of TS
No
Criteria
Details
Test temperature
18.7-21.8 °C
pH
Start: 7.92-7.95
End: 7.72-7.98
Aeration of dilution water
Not stated
Light intensity
Not specified
Photoperiod
Constant for 72 hours

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

3,5-dichlorophenol (1.5 mg/L in the test medium)

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

other: EC50(biomass)

Effect conc.:

> 400 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 440 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

> 440 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Details on results:

Test Substance
Concentration
nominal [mg/L] Percentage inhibition of growth rate (mean values) [%]
24 h 48 h 72 h
0 - - -
100.0 Negative inhibition 2.4 2.2
177.8 Negative inhibition 0.7 3.0
316.2 Negative inhibition 9.7 6.9
562.3 Negative inhibition 42.8 12.1
1000.0 Negative inhibition 12.8 12.1

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Positive control 21.6 60.7 55.8

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The growth rate, u, was determined for each test flask using the following equation:

tn time of the measurement (hours) after the beginning of the test
N0 is the nominal, or measured, initial cell density
Nn is the measured final cell density at time, n

From the calculated growth rates the percentage inhibition, (Iui) for each test concentration was determined using the following equation:

Iui is the percentage inhibition (growth rate) for test concentration i
ui is the mean growth rate for test concentration i
uc is the mean growth rate for the control


The concentration of test material required to cause 50% inhibition of growth rate (EC50) is usually determined using the statistical computer programme, Toxcalc, supplied by Tidepool Scientific, (STL Runcorn SOP V.4). However, the data was deemed inappropriate for such analysis in this case.

Result are quoted for pure sodium bromide, i.e. corrected given the concentration of sodium bromide in the initial solution Test result is equivalent to: EC50 >342 mg(Br-)/L for the bromide ion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

no

Conclusions:

Although no OECD guidelines were specified for this test the procedure is similar to that of OECD guideline 201: the Alga, Growth Inhibition Test.
In a static test, alga, Skeletonema costatum, was incubated for 72 hours in Guillards’s f/2 medium and in the presence of sodium bromide solution at 5 different concentrations (and 3 replicates at each concentration). The average cell growth and growth rates were determined at each 24 hour interval and growth inhibition relative to the control tests was established.
A reference substance (3,5-dichlorophenol) was also tested under the same conditions.
While growth and growth rates were reduced in the presence of sodium bromide solution, the percentage inhibition in growth rate remained below 50% at all time points, even at the highest concentration of sodium bromide solution of 1000.0 mg/L, unlike the reference substance which gave 60.7 % growth inhibition after 48 hours at a concentration of 1.5 mg/L.
All EC50 and NOEC values were determined to be above this 1000.0 mg/L sodium bromide solution threshold.
Microscopic analysis indicated no other adverse effects.

Reference 6

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1990

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: other: tests were conducted in accordance with the test procedure DIN 38 412, Part 9 (draft standard).

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Test organisms (species):

Desmodesmus subspicatus (previous name: Scenedesmus subspicatus)

Limit test:

no

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

other: EC50 (growth)

Effect conc.:

20 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

biomass

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

other: EC50 (biomass)

Effect conc.:

8 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

biomass

Test result is equivalent to: EC50 (biomass) = 6210 mg(Br-)/L for the bromide ion

Reference 7

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1983

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test organisms (species):

Scenedesmus pannonicus

Limit test:

no

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

3 200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

biomass

Test result is equivalent to: NOEC = 2480 mg(Br-)/L for the bromide ion

Reference 8

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1991

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

GLP compliance:

not specified

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Scenedesmus pannonicus

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

10 000 mg/L

Basis for effect:

other: not stated

Description of key information

Sodium bromide is not considered toxic to algae based on the EC50 value of 440 mg/L. The NOEC was found to be >440 mg/L, based on a study with Skeletonema costatum.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for marine water algae:

440 mg/L

EC10 or NOEC for freshwater algae:

3 200 mg/L

Additional information

Ammonium bromide is an inorganic salt that dissociates to its composite ions in aqueous solutions at environmental pH and temperature. Comparison of the available data on the various bromide salts have shown that the bromide ion is the relevant ion for determination of the toxicological profile with simple cations such as potassium, sodium or ammonium, that are ubiquitous in nature, having little or no influence on the bromide ion properties. It is therefore justified to read-across data from other inorganic bromide salts to ammonium bromide.

The key study is performed with marine species, Skeletonema costatum. Sodium bromide is not considered toxic to algae based on the EC₅₀value of 440 mg/L and the NOEC >440 mg/L.

There are two supporting studies for freshwater species. NOECs were derived from acute and (semi) chronic toxicity tests with freshwater green algae, and (cyano)bacteria. The test results show that the organisms have a similar toxicity to NaBr as the NOECs ranged from 3200 mg NaBr/L to 4200 NaBr/L.