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Reference
Endpoint:
activated sludge respiration inhibition testing
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
Between 16 and 17 March 2010
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.11 (Biodegradation: Activated Sludge Respiration Inhibition Test)
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EPA OPPTS 850.6800 (Modified Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test for Sparingly Soluble Chemicals)
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Analytical monitoring:
no
Details on sampling:
- Concentrations:
10, 32, 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l

- Sampling method:
Observations were made on the test preparations throughout the test period. Observations of the test item vessels at 0 hours were made prior to addition of activated sewage sludge and synthetic sewage. The pH of the control, reference item and test item preparations were measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH and dissolved oxygen meter at 0 hours and prior to measurement of the oxygen consumption rate after 3 hours contact time.

- Sample storage conditions before analysis:
not specified in report
Vehicle:
no
Details on test solutions:

For the purpose of the test, the test item was dispersed directly in water.
Amounts of test item (5, 16, 50, 160 and 500 mg) were each separately dispersed in approximately 250 ml of water and subjected to ultrasonication for approximately 15 minutes followed by magnetic stirring for 24 hours in order to maximise the dissolved test item concentration. All test vessels were shielded from the light during mixing. Synthetic sewage (16 ml), activated sewage sludge (200 ml) and water were added to a final volume of 500 ml to give the required concentrations of 10, 32, 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l.
The control group was maintained under identical conditions but not exposed to the test item.
As it was not a requirement of the Test Guidelines, no analysis was conducted to determine the homogeneity, concentration or stability of the test item formulation.

- Eluate:
At time "0" 16 ml of synthetic sewage was diluted to 300 ml with water and 200 ml of inoculum added in a 500 ml conical flask (first control). The mixture was aerated with clean, oil-free compressed air via narrow bore glass tubes at a rate of approximately 0.5 – 1 litre per minute. Thereafter, at 15 minute intervals the procedure was repeated with appropriate amounts of the reference item being added. The test item vessels were prepared as described above. Finally a second control was prepared.

As each vessel reached 30 minutes contact time an aliquot was removed from the conical flask and poured into the measuring vessel (250 ml darkened glass Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) bottle) and the rate of respiration measured using a Yellow Springs dissolved oxygen meter fitted with a BOD probe. The contents of the measuring vessel were stirred constantly by magnetic stirrer. The rate of respiration for each flask was measured over the linear portion of the oxygen consumption trace (where possible between approximately 6.5 mg O2/l and 2.5 mg O2/l). In the case of a rapid oxygen consumption, measurements may have been outside this range but the oxygen consumption was always within the linear portion of the respiration curve. In the case of low oxygen consumption, the rate was determined over an approximate 10 minute period. After measurement the contents of the BOD bottle were returned to the test vessel.
This procedure was repeated after 3 hours contact time. The test was conducted under normal laboratory lighting in a temperature controlled room at 21±1 deg C.
Observations were made on the test preparations throughout the test period. Observations of the test item vessels at 0 hours were made prior to addition of activated sewage sludge and synthetic sewage. The pH of the control, reference item and test item preparations were measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH and dissolved oxygen meter at 0 hours and prior to measurement of the oxygen consumption rate after 3 hours contact time.

- Differential loading:
Not applicable.

- Controls:
The control group was maintained under identical conditions but not exposed to the test item.

- Chemical name of vehicle (organic solvent, emulsifier or dispersant):
Not applicable.

- Concentration of vehicle in test medium (stock solution and final test solution(s) including control(s)):
Not applicable.

- Evidence of undissolved material (e.g. precipitate, surface film, etc):
Observations made throughout the test period (see Table 3) showed that at 0 hours, 30 minutes and 3 hours that the control vessels contained a dark brown dispersion and the reference item vessels contained a dark brown dispersion with no undissolved reference item visible.
Observations made of the test item vessels at 0 hours prior to the addition of activated sewage sludge and synthetic sewage showed that all test concentrations contained a clear colourless solution.
Observations made at 0 hours, 30 minutes and 3 hours (see Table 3) showed that the control vessels contained a dark brown dispersion and the reference item vessels contained a dark brown dispersion with no undissolved reference item visible.
Observations of the test item vessels made at 0 hours prior to the addition of activated sewage sludge and synthetic sewage showed that the test concentration of 10 mg/l contained a colourless water column with a few particles of test item visible on the surface. The test concentration of 32 mg/l contained a colourless water column with small particles of test item visible dispersed throughout whilst the test concentrations of 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l contained cloudy dispersions with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout.
Observations of the test item vessels made after 30 minutes and 3 hours contact time showed that the test concentration of 10 contained a dark brown dispersion with a few particles of test item visible on the surface. The test concentration of 32 mg/l contained a dark brown dispersion with small particles of test item visible dispersed throughout. The test concentrations of 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l contained a brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout.

Test organisms (species):
activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage
Details on inoculum:

- Laboratory culture:
The activated sewage sludge sample was maintained on continuous aeration in the laboratory at a temperature of approximately 21ºC and was used on the day of collection. The pH of the sample was 7.1 measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH and dissolved oxygen meter. Determination of the suspended solids level of the activated sewage sludge was carried out by filtering a sample (100 ml) of the activated sewage sludge by suction through a pre-weighed GF/A filter paper using a Buchner funnel which was then rinsed 3 times with 10 ml of deionised reverse osmosis water and filtration continued for 3 minutes. The filter paper was then dried in an oven at approximately 105ºC for at least 1 hour and allowed to cool before weighing. This process was repeated until a constant weight was attained. The suspended solids concentration was equal to 4.1 g/l prior to use..


Test type:
static
Water media type:
freshwater
Limit test:
yes
Total exposure duration:
3 h
Post exposure observation period:
Not applicable.
Hardness:
The test water used for the definitive test was laboratory tap water dechlorinated by passage through an activated carbon filter (Purite Series 500) and partly softened (Elga Nimbus 1248D Duplex water softener) giving water with a total hardness of approximately 140 mg/l as CaCO3. After dechlorination and softening the water was then passed through a series of computer controlled plate heat exchangers to achieve the required temperature. Typical water quality characteristics for the tap water as supplied, prior to dechlorination and softening, are given in Appendix 1.
Test temperature:
The test was conducted under normal laboratory lighting in a temperature controlled room at 21±1 Deg C.
pH:
The pH values of the test preparations at the start and end of the exposure period are given in Table 2.
Dissolved oxygen:
In some instances, the initial and final dissolved oxygen concentrations were below those recommended in the test guidelines (6.5 mg O2/l and 2.5 mg O2/l respectively). This was considered to have had no adverse effect on the results of the study given that in all cases the oxygen consumption rate was determined over the linear portion of the oxygen consumption trace.
Salinity:
Not applicable.
Nominal and measured concentrations:
10, 32, 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l
Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
At time "0" 16 ml of synthetic sewage was diluted to 300 ml with water and 200 ml of inoculum added in a 500 ml conical flask (first control). The mixture was aerated with clean, oil-free compressed air via narrow bore glass tubes at a rate of approximately
0.5 – 1 litre per minute. Thereafter, at 15 minute intervals the procedure was repeated with appropriate amounts of the reference item being added. The test item vessels were prepared as described in "details of test solutions". Finally a second control was prepared.
As each vessel reached 3 hours contact time an aliquot was removed from the conical flask and poured into the measuring vessel (250 ml darkened glass Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) bottle) and the rate of respiration measured using a Yellow Springs dissolved oxygen meter fitted with a BOD probe. The contents of the measuring vessel were stirred constantly by magnetic stirrer. The rate of respiration for each flask was measured over the linear portion of the oxygen consumption trace (where possible between approximately 6.5 mg O2/l and 2.5 mg O2/l). In the case of a rapid oxygen consumption, measurements may have been outside this range but the oxygen consumption was always within the linear portion of the respiration curve. In the case of low oxygen consumption, the rate was determined over an approximate 10 minute period.
The test was conducted under normal laboratory lighting in a temperature controlled room at 21±1degC.
Observations were made on the test preparations throughout the test period. Observations of the test item vessels at 0 hours were made prior to addition of activated sewage sludge and synthetic sewage. The pH of the control, reference item and test item preparations were measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH and dissolved oxygen meter at 0 hours and prior to measurement of the oxygen consumption rate after 3 hours contact time.


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
The test water used for the definitive test was laboratory tap water dechlorinated by passage through an activated carbon filter (Purite Series 500) and partly softened (Elga Nimbus 1248D Duplex water softener) giving water with a total hardness of approximately 140 mg/l as CaCO3. After dechlorination and softening the water was then passed through a series of computer controlled plate heat exchangers to achieve the required temperature. Typical water quality characteristics for the tap water as supplied, prior to dechlorination and softening, are given in Appendix 1.


OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH:
The pH values of the test preparations at the start and end of the exposure period are given in Table 2

- Photoperiod:
3 hours.

- Light intensity:
Normal laboratory lighting.

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
In order to calculate the inhibitory effect of the test and reference items the respiration rate was expressed as a percentage of the two control respiration rates.

% inhibition = [ 1 – 2 RS ] x 100
RC1 + RC2
where
RS = oxygen consumption rate for test or reference sample
RC1 + RC2 = oxygen consumption rates for controls 1 and 2
The percentage inhibition values were plotted against concentration for the reference item only, a line fitted using the Xlfit software package (IDBS) and the EC20, EC50 and EC80 values determined from the equation for the fitted line.
The EC20, EC50 and EC80 values for the test item were determined by inspection of the inhibition of respiration rate data.
95% confidence limits were calculated for the EC50 value for the reference item only using the method of Litchfield and Wilcoxon (Litchfield and Wilcoxon 1949).
The No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) was determined by inspection of the inhibition of respiration rate data.
The results of the study are considered valid if (i) the two control respiration rates are within 15% of each other and (ii) the EC50 (3-Hour contact time) for 3,5-dichlorophenol lies within the range 5 to 30 mg/l.


TEST CONCENTRATIONS
10, 32, 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l

Reference substance (positive control):
yes
Remarks:
3,5-dichlorophenol
Duration:
3 h
Dose descriptor:
EC50
Effect conc.:
> 1 000 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
inhibition of total respiration
Remarks:
respiration rate
Remarks on result:
other: not specified
Duration:
3 h
Dose descriptor:
NOEC
Effect conc.:
1 000 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
inhibition of total respiration
Remarks:
respiration rate
Remarks on result:
other: not specified
Details on results:
Definitive Test
Oxygen consumption rates and percentage inhibition values for the control, test and items in the definitive test are given in Table 1. The pH values of the test preparations at the start and end of the exposure period are given in Table 2, and observations made on the test preparations throughout the study are given in Table 3.
Percentage inhibition is plotted against concentration for the reference item, 3,5 dichlorophenol only (Figure 1).

The following results were derived:
Sodium metaphosphate
ECx (30 Hours) (mg/l) 95% Confidence Limits (mg/l)
EC20 >1000 -
EC50 >1000 -
EC80 >1000 -
NOEC 1000 -

It was considered unnecessary and unrealistic to test at concentrations in excess of 1000 mg/l.

3,5-dichlorophenol:
ECx (3 Hours) (mg/l) 95% Confidence Limits (mg/l)
EC20 3.0 -
EC50 8.9 7.0 - 11
EC80 26 -
NOEC 2.5 -
Variation in respiration rates of controls 1 and 2 was ± 4% after 3 hours contact time.
The validation criteria for the control respiration rates and reference material EC50 values were therefore satisfied.



Results with reference substance (positive control):
- Results with reference substance valid?
Yes.

- Relevant effect levels:
The reference material gave a 3-Hour EC50 value of 8.9 mg/l, 95% confidence limits 7.0 - 11 mg/l.

- Other:
None.
Reported statistics and error estimates:
None.

Table 1              Oxygen Consumption Rates and Percentage Inhibition Values after 3 Hours Contact Time

Nominal

Concentration

(mg/l)

Initial O2

Reading

(mg O2/l)

Measurent Period

(minutes)

Final O2Reading

(mg O2/l)

O2Consumption Rates

(mg O2/l/min)

% Inhibition

Control

R1

5.6

6

1.9

0.62

-

 

R2

3.3

3

1.6

0.57

-

Test item

10

3.8

3

2.0

0.60

[1]

 

32

4.0

3

2.1

0.63

[6]

 

100

4.6

4

2.2

0.60

[1]

 

320

5.2

5

2.1

0.62

[4]

 

1000

5.3

5

2.1

0.64

[8]

3,5-dichlorophenol

3.2

6.2

8

2.4

0.48

19

 

10

7.4

10

4.9

0.25

58

 

32

8.1

10

7.1

0.10

83

[Increase in respiration rate as compared to controls]

R1– R2= Replicates 1 to

Table 2              pH Values of the Test Preparations at the Start and End of the Exposure Period

Nominal

Concentration

(mg/l)

pH

0 Hours

3 Hours

Control

R1

7.4

7.8

 

R2

7.5

7.7

Test item

10

7.5

7.8

 

32

7.5

7.7

 

100

7.5

7.8

 

320

7.6

7.8

 

1000

7.6

7.8

3,5-dichlorophenol

3.2

7.4

8.0

 

10

7.4

8.1

 

32

7.4

8.1


R1– R2= Replicates 1 to 2

 
Table 3              Observations on the Test Preparations Throughout the Test Period

Nominal

Concentration

(mg/l)

Observations on Test Preparations

0 Hours

30 Minutes

Contact Ti

3 Hours

Contact Ti

Control

R1

Dark brown dispersion

Dark brown dispersion

Dark brown dispersion

 

R2

Dark brown dispersion

Dark brown dispersion

Dark brown dispersion

Test item

10

Colourless water column with a few small particles of test item on the surface

Dark brown dispersion with a few particles of test item visible on surface

Dark brown dispersion with a few particles of test item visible on surface

 

32

Colourless water column with small particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Dark brown dispersion with small particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Dark brown dispersion with small particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

 

100

Cloudy dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

 

320

Cloudy dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

 

1000

Cloudy dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

Brown dispersion with particles of test item visible dispersed throughout

3,5-dichlorophenol

3.2

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

 

10

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

 

32

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

Dark brown dispersion, no undissolved reference item visible

R1– R2= Replicates 1 to 2

[*]Observations made prior to the addition of synthetic sewage and activated sewage sludge


Concentration-Response Curve: 3,5-dichlorophenol – 3 Hours Contact Time see attached figure 1

See atached Appendix 1 For Typical Water Quality Characteristics

 

Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Conclusions:
The effect of the test item on the respiration of activated sewage sludge micro-organisms gave a 3-Hour EC50 of greater than 1000 mg/l. The No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) after 3 hours exposure was 1000 mg/l.
This study is conducted according to the appropriate guidelines (EU ) and under the conditions of GLP and therefore the study is considered to be acceptable and to adequately satisfy both the guideline requirement and the regulatory requirement as a key study for this endpoint. Study is sufficient for classification and labelling purposes, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (EU CLP).
Executive summary:

Introduction.

A study was perford to assess the effect of the test item on the respiration of activated sewage sludge. The method followed that described in the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals (1984) No 209 "Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test", Method C.11 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 440/2008 and US EPA Draft Ecological Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 850.6800.

Methods. 

Activated sewage sludge was exposed to an aqueous dispersion of the test item at concentrations of 10, 32, 100, 320 and 1000 mg/l for a period of 3 hours at a temperature of 21 ± 1°C with the addition of a synthetic sewage as a respiratory substrate.

The rate of respiration was determined after 3 hours contact tiand compared to data for the control and a reference item, 3,5-dichlorophenol.

Results.

The effect of the test item on the respiration of activated sewage sludge gave a 3-Hour EC50 of greater than 1000 mg/l. The No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) after 3 hours exposure was 1000mg/l.

It was considered unnecessary and unrealistic to test at concentrations in excess of 1000 mg/l.

The reference item gave a 3-Hour EC50 value of 8.9 mg/l, 95% confidence limits 7.0 - 11 mg/l.

Description of key information

One key study is available. This study is conducted in accordance with an appropriate guideline and under the conditions of GLP.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:
1 000 mg/L
EC10 or NOEC for microorganisms:
1 000 mg/L

Additional information