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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Description of key information

Benzyldimethylamine was shown to be not ready biodegradable in different ready biodegradability tests using non-adapted sludge (MITI, 1992). With an adapted sludge the substance was 100% ready biodegradable (Bayer AG, 1979). In addition, Benzyldimethylamine was shown to be 100% inherently biodegradable after 13 days and fulfilled the criterion for inherent, ultimative biodegradability (BASF, 1987).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
inherently biodegradable

Additional information

READY BIODEGRADABILITY

Key study:

The ready biodegradability of benzyldimethylamine was tested according to "Biodegradation test of chemical substance by mircoorganisms etc." stipulated in the order prescribing the items of the test relating to the new chemical substance (1974). This guideline corresponds to 301C, ready biodegradability: modified MITI Test (I) or 302C, inherent biodegradability: modified MITI Test (II) stipulated in the OECD Guidelines for testing of chemicals (May 12, 1981). The biodegradation rate (measured as O2 consumption) is 0 to 2 % after 4 weeks. The substance is thus, not regarded ready biodegradable (MITI, 1992).

Supporting studies:

- A 4-wk Modified MITI Test (I) was performed on the basis of the OECD guideline 301C with activated sludge. 1% degradation was observed within 4 weeks on the basis of O2 consumption. Benzyldimethylamine is not readily biodegradable (MITI-Online, 2002)

- A 20-d ready biodegradability test was performed on the basis of the OECD guideline 301D with activated, non-adapted sludge under aerobic conditions. 0% degradation was observed within 20 days on the basis of O2 consumption. Benzyldimethylamine is not readily biodegradable (Bayer AG, 1979).

- A 20-d ready biodegradability test was performed on the basis of the OECD guideline 301D with activated, adapted sludge under aerobic conditions. 100% degradation was observed within 20 days on the basis of O2 consumption. Benzyldimethylamine is readily biodegradable with adapted sludge (Bayer AG, 1979).

INHERENT BIODEGRADABILITY

Supporting study:

The inherent biodegradability of benzyldimethylamine was tested in a study equivalent or similar to a 13-d- Zahn-Wellens test (OECD Guideline 302B). With an initial test substance concentration of 425 mg/L and an activated sludge (industrial, non-adadapted) with an initial cell/biomass concentration of 1 g/L 100% degradability of benzyldimethylamine was determined by DOC-removal.

Benzyldimethylamine was shown to be 100% inherently biodegradable after 13 days and fulfilled the criterion for inherent, ultimative biodegradability (70% degradability within 7 days).