Formaldehyde, oligomeric reaction products with phenol

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: peer reviewed journal

Justification for type of information:

Data is from peer reviewed journal

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

ISO DIS 9408 (Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability - Method by Determining the Oxygen Demand in a Closed Respirometer)

GLP compliance:

not specified

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

other: Settled municipal waste water

Details on inoculum:

- Source of inoculum/activated sludge (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): settled municipal wastewater
- Concentration of sludge: 1 mL

Duration of test (contact time):

18 d

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

other: BOD

Details on study design:

Samples: Samples of test chemical were collected. Industrial waste water after analysis of waste water concentrations of phenol and formaldehyde obtained were 70 and 22.5 mg/L respectively.

Key result

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

> 60

Sampling time:

18 d

Remarks on result:

other: undiluted water

Key result

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

80

Sampling time:

10 d

Remarks on result:

other: diluted samples

Details on results:

Study was conducted to determine biodegradation rate of test chemical in water. The percent degradation of test chemical was determined by using industrial waste water samples of test chemical and parameter used was biological oxygen demand (BOD). Morethan 60 % degradation was observed in 18 days of undiluted samples and 80% degradation observed in 10 days of diluted samples.

Parameter:

COD

Value:

5 other: mg/L

Remarks on result:

other: Dilution water

Parameter:

BOD5

Value:

0.5 other: mg/L

Remarks on result:

other: Dilution water

Parameter:

BOD5

Value:

150 other: mg/L

Remarks on result:

other: Industrial wastewater

Parameter:

COD

Value:

216 other: mg/L

Remarks on result:

other: Industrial wastewater

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Interpretation of results:

readily biodegradable

Conclusions:

Study was conducted to determine biodegradation rate of test chemical in water. The percent degradation of test chemical was determined by using industrial waste water samples of test chemical and parameter used was biological oxygen demand (BOD). Morethan 60 % degradation was observed in 18 days of undiluted samples and 80% degradation observed in 10 days of diluted samples.

Executive summary:

Biodegradation experiment was conducted for determining the biodegradability of test chemical. The study was performed according to guideline ISO DIS 9408 (Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability - Method by Determining the Oxygen Demand in a Closed Respirometer) under aerobic conditions. The standard stock solutions of test chemical were prepared in distilled water according to Standard Methods (APHAAWWA-WEF, 1992). Settled municipal waste water was used as a test inoculum of 1mL concentration for the study. The percent degradation of test chemical was determined by using industrial waste water samples of test chemical and parameter used was biological oxygen demand. Morethan 60 % degradation was observed in 18 days of undiluted samples and 80% degradation observed in 10 days of diluted samples. On the basis of this percent degradability value, it is concluded that test chemical is readily biodegradable in nature.

Description of key information

Study was conducted to determine biodegradation rate of test chemical in water. The percent degradation of test chemical was determined by using industrial waste water samples of test chemical and parameter used was biological oxygen demand (BOD). Morethan 60 % degradation was observed in 10 days of indiluted samples and 80% degradation observed in 10 days of diluted samples.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Type of water:

freshwater

Additional information

Various experimental studies of the test chemical were reviewed for the biodegradation end point which are summarized as below:

 

In an experimental key study from peer reviewed journal, biodegradation experiment was conducted for determining the biodegradability of test chemical. The study was performed according to guideline ISO DIS 9408 (Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability - Method by Determining the Oxygen Demand in a Closed Respirometer) under aerobic conditions. The standard stock solutions of test chemical were prepared in distilled water according to Standard Methods (APHAAWWA-WEF, 1992). Settled municipal waste water was used as a test inoculum of 1mL concentration for the study. The percent degradation of test chemical was determined by using industrial waste water samples of test chemical and parameter used was biological oxygen demand. Morethan 60 % degradation was observed in 18 days of undiluted samples and 80% degradation observed in 10 days of diluted samples. On the basis of this percent degradability value, it is concluded that test chemical is readily biodegradable in nature.

 

In another study, the test chemical was tested to determine biodegradation rate by using two different inoculums of mixed microbial system. The test chemical was synthesized by using 14C-ring-labelled phenol and formaldehyde and parameter used to check biodegradation was labeled CO2 evolution. Fresh mixed microbial systems were used in the study which was prepared by using soils, manures, decaying plastics, and garbage. Activated and anaerobic sludges were obtained from the Limestone-Meadowbrook and Ley Creek Wastewater treatment Plants, Onondaga County, N.Y., and from the pulp sludge from a paper mill, respectively. The initial concentration of test chemical was 0.0027µCi used in the study. LS 100C-liquid scintillation counter were used to detect radioactivity of test chemical in a solution containing 5.0 g of PPO (2,5-diphenyloxazole), 0.4g of POPOP [1-4-bis-(5-phenyloxazolyl)-benzene], 6.5 ml of monoethanolamine, 500 ml of toluene, and methanol to 1 liter. The test chemical was put in 125 mL flask at concentration 0.045µCi with two different inoculums in separate flasks for 11 weeks and 5 weeks respectively at pH 7. Sterile control was used for correction for quench. By both the inoculums percent biodegradability was in the range of 0-0.15 %.

 

Based on the result of study which was performed according to standard ISO test guideline, test chemical is considered to be readily biodegradable in nature.