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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Monitoring data

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
monitoring data
Type of information:
migrated information: read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: see 'Remark'
Remarks:
Klimisch score based on test procedure being in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail (according to OECD SIDS document for potassium hydroxide, 30 January 2002). Reliability was changed from RL1 to RL2 according to the ECHA guidance document “Practical guide 6: How to report read-across and categories (March 2010) to reflect the fact that this study was conducted on a read-across substance.

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
publication
Title:
Water quality of world river bassins
Author:
UNEP
Year:
1995
Bibliographic source:
UNEP Environment Library N°14, Nairobi, Kenya

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:
test procedure being in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail (according to OECD SIDS document for potassium hydroxide, 30 January 2002).
GLP compliance:
not specified
Type of measurement:
background concentration
Media:
surface water

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Potassium hydroxide
EC Number:
215-181-3
EC Name:
Potassium hydroxide
Cas Number:
1310-58-3
Molecular formula:
HKO
IUPAC Name:
potassium hydroxide

Results and discussion

Concentrationopen allclose all
Country:
other: 75 world rivers (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
3.22 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 0.80 mg/l, 90th percentile: 5.96 mg/l, range 41.90 mg/l
Country:
other: 75 world rivers (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: pH
Conc.:
>= 6.5 - <= 8.3
Remarks on result:
other: global median pH = 7.7
Country:
other: 11 rivers from North America (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
2.35 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 0.80 mg/l, 90th percentile: 5.00 mg/l, range 7.20 mg/l
Country:
other: 25 rivers from Asia (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
2.17 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 0.84 mg/l, 90th percentile: 3.94 mg/l, range 6.80 mg/l
Country:
other: 5 rivers from South America (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
1.58 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 0.74 mg/l, 90th percentile: 2.30 mg/l, range 1.8 mg/l
Country:
other: 7 rivers from Africa (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
1.84 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 1.16 mg/l, 90th percentile: 2.66 mg/l, range 2.10 mg/l
Country:
other: 23 rivers from Europe (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
5.88 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 0.80 mg/l, 90th percentile: 7.00 mg/l, range 41.40 mg/l
Country:
other: 6 rivers from Oceania (average concentration)
Substance or metabolite:
other: Potassium
Conc.:
2.87 mg/L
Remarks on result:
other: 10th percentile: 0.40 mg/l, 90th percentile: 5.00 mg/l, range 5.60 mg/l
Details on results:
Levels of concern for water quality from anthropogenic exposure, predominantly fertilizers, are never reached (12 mg/l WHO guideline for drinking water), except downstream from potash mines (Weser: 42.0 mg/l; Elbe: 26.1 mg/l). Acidity/alkalinity is measured as pH which is a key parameter in water quality. pH is closely linked to biological productivity in aquatic systems. With dissolved organic acids from soil leaching (Amazonia), a pH of less than 4.0 has been measured. In waters with a high chlorophyll content, the bicarbonate assimilation can result in pH values exceeding quiet commonly 8.5, and even 9.0 at midday (Loire).[Cited from OECD SIDS document for potassium hydroxide, 30 January 2002]

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
Average Potassium concentration worldwide is 3.22 mg/L, averge in Europe is 5.88 mg/L, Potassium concentration is above 12 mg/l downstream of potash mines. Monitoring values worldwide. pH annual average 6.5 - 8.3; global median value 7.7. No strong variability at individual stations.