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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Remarks:
COD estimation
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Study period:
October 15, 1992 to November 23, 1992
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.9 (Biodegradation: Zahn-Wellens Test)
Version / remarks:
EEC Directive 84/449 (1984), Part. C.9
according to DEV H 41-1, Deutsches Einheits-Verfahren, 1980
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
Mean of 2 determinations instead of 3
GLP compliance:
yes
Specific details on test material used for the study:
Code number: FAT-40138/D
Batch-Nr.: 275605.26
Purity: 79 %
Appearance: solid
Solubility: 100 g/l [in water]
Storage: room temperature
Expiration date: July 1993
Oxygen conditions:
not specified
Inoculum or test system:
other: not required
Duration of test (contact time):
2 h
Initial conc.:
5 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
other: The COD of a test substance is calculated from the amount of the unreacted K2Cr2O7, determinated by a titration with ( NH4Fe(SO4)2 • 6H2O
Key result
Remarks on result:
other: COD estimated
Key result
Parameter:
COD
Value:
667 mg O2/g test mat.
Results with reference substance:
The COD of Potassium hydrogen phthalate (Validity: 200 ± 8 mg 02/l) is: 194 mg O2/I
Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
other: COD has been derived
Conclusions:
The COD of FAT 40138/D is 667 mg O2/g.
Executive summary:

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of FAT 40138/D was estimated in a test carried out according to DEV H 41-1, Deutsches Einheits-Verfahren, 1980 corresponding to EEC Directive 84/449/ C.9. A predetermined amount of the test substance FAT 40138/D dissolved in water is oxidized by potassium dichromate in a strong sulphuric acid medium with silver sulphate as a catalyst under reflux for 2 hours. The residual dichromate is determined by titration with standardized ferrous ammonium sulphate. The test substance was tested with a sample weight of 5.0 mg. The reference substance Potassium hydrogen phthalate solution was tested in a concentration of 20 ml/l. The COD of FAT 40138/D was determined to be 667 mg O2/g, while the COD of the reference substance was 194 mg O2/l.

Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: screening test, other
Remarks:
BOD5 determined
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
09 October1992 to 23 November 1992
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
ISO 5815 (Water quality - Determination of Biochemical Oxygen Demand after 5 Days (BOD5) - Dilution and Seeding Method)
Version / remarks:
Second Edition 1989-08-01 (E)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
Aerate over night after addition of the inoculum
GLP compliance:
yes
Specific details on test material used for the study:
Code number: FAT-40138/D
Batch-Nr.: 275605.26
Purity: 79 %
Appearance: solid
Solubility: 100 g/l [in water]
Storage: room temperature
Expiration date: July 1993
Oxygen conditions:
anaerobic
Inoculum or test system:
other: Seeding water of an urban waste water
Duration of test (contact time):
5 d
Initial conc.:
> 6.6 - < 838.9 mg/L
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
O2 consumption
Reference substance:
other: D(+) - Glucose (Merck Nr. 8337) / L-Glutamic acid (Merck Nr. 291)
Remarks on result:
other: Objective of the study was to calculate BOD5
Details on results:
The BOD5 of FAT 40138/D corrected by the blank control is 0 mg O2/g.
Key result
Parameter:
BOD5
Value:
0 g O2/g test mat.
Results with reference substance:
The BOD5 of Glucose/Glutamic acid solution is 210,185, 200 mg O2/I
Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
other: BOD5 has determined
Conclusions:
The BOD5 of FAT 40138/D was determined to be 0 mg O2/g.
Executive summary:

The biochemical oxygen demand of FAT 40138/D is determined by measuring the dissolved oxygen concentration before and after 5 days incubation at 20 °C in different test concentrations diluted in water saturated with dissolved oxygen that contains a seed of microorganisms. The test was carried out according to ISO 5815 Second Edition 1989-08-01 (E), in compliance with GLP. The test substance was tested in concentrations from about 6 to 800 mg/l. Based on the findings of the study, the BOD5 of FAT 40138/D was determined to be 0 mg O2/g while that of reference substance Glucose/Glutamic acid solution is 210,185, 200 mg O2/I.

Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: inherent biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
07 October 1992 to 04 November 1992
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 302 B (Inherent biodegradability: Zahn-Wellens/EMPA Test)
Version / remarks:
1992
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: EECDirective, L133 (pp. 99-105) Volume 31, May 88
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes
Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Code number: FAT-40'138/D
- Batch-Nr.: 275605.26
- Purity: 79 %
- Appearance: solid
- Solubility: 100 g/I [in water]
- Storage: room temperature
- Expiration date: July 1993
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
other: Sludge of a biological sewage treatment plant
Details on inoculum:
- Source of inoculum/activated sludge: Sludge of a biological sewage treatment plant (ARA-Basel Industrie) collected on 06.10.92
Duration of test (contact time):
28 d
Initial conc.:
150 mg/L
Based on:
DOC
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
DOC removal
Reference substance:
diethylene glycol
Remarks:
CIBA-Nr. FAT 90019/E .Fluka No. 32170
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
2.4
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: % bioelimination observed as adsorption was 0% after 3 hours
Details on results:
Adsorption:
The adsorption of the test substance after 3 hours was: 0 %

Biodegradation:
The biodegradation of the test substance after 28 days was: 2.4 %

Total bioelimination:
(regarding the adsorption and the biodegradation) The total bioelimination of the test substance over the whole test period of 28 days was (average of 2 tests running in parallel): 2.4 %
Results with reference substance:
The bioelimination, corrected by the blank control and measured as DOC (mg/l) was: 100 % by 16th day

Calculation

 

Dt(%)= [1 – DOCt- DOCbI x t/ DOCpr] x 100

 

 

where:

Dt= biodegradation (%) at time t

DOCpr= value of the test substance preliminary test (mg/l DOC)

DOCt= value of the test substance at day t (mg/l DOC)

DOCbl t= blank control at time t

Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
not inherently biodegradable
Conclusions:
FAT 40138/D is not inherently biodegradable under the test conditions.
Executive summary:

The inherent biodegradability of FAT 40138/D was determined in a modified Zahn-Wellens-Test according to the OECD Guideline 302B, in compliance with GLP. The test substance FAT 40138/D and the reference substance Diethylenglycol, respectively, were tested in concentrations of 150 mg/l DOC. The adsorption of the test substance after 3 hours was estimated to be 0 %. The biodegradation of FAT 40138/D after 28 days was 2.4 %. Hence, the total elimination of the test substance over the whole test period of 28 days was 2.4 %. The biodegradation of the reference substance after 16 days was estimated to be 100 %. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that FAT 40138/D is not inherently biodegradable under the test conditions.

Description of key information

The test substance is not inherently nor rapidly biodegradable.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
not biodegradable
Type of water:
freshwater

Additional information

In a key study, the inherent biodegradability of FAT 40138/D was determined in a modified Zahn-Wellens - Test according to the OECD Guideline 302B, in compliance with GLP. FAT 40138/D and the reference substance diethylene glycol, respectively, were tested in concentrations of 150 mg/l DOC. The adsorption of the test substance after 3 hours was estimated to be 0 %. The biodegradation of FAT 40138/D after 28 days was 2.4 %. Hence, the total elimination of the test substance over the whole test period of 28 days was 2.4 %. The biodegradation of the reference substance after 16 days was estimated to be 100 %. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that FAT 40138/D is not inherently biodegradable under the test conditions. In another key study, the BOD5 and COD for FAT 40138/D was determined to 0 and 667 mg O2/g and taking these results together the quotient of BOD5/COD is calculated to be zero which indicates that the test substance is not rapidly biodegradable. In another supporting study (Zahn-Wellens – Test), the bioelimination of FAT 40138/E after 28 days was 7.1 %. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that FAT 40138/E is not inherently biodegradable under the test conditions. In two additional studies BOD and COD  with FAT 40138/A and FAT 40138/C have been determined, the quotient of BOD5/COD is calculated to be zero which indicates that the test substance is not rapidly biodegradable.


 


By the nature of their design and use, textile dyes are not intended to be readily biodegradable as this would assist in the rapid destruction of the dyestuff, rendering it unfit for purpose. There are ISO, European, American (AATCC) and national standards for the colour fastness of dyes. Dyes are required to have specific fastness properties. If the dyes were biodegradable, it would not be possible for them to have these fastness properties. As such, it is accepted that such substances are not readily biodegradable under relevant environmental conditions. A published study (Pagga & Brown, 1986) describes the results of the testing of 87 dyestuffs in short-term aerobic biodegradation tests. The authors of this publication concluded that dyestuffs are very unlikely to show any significant biodegradation in such tests and that 'there seems little point in carrying out such test procedures’ on dyestuffs.