Benzyl-C12-14-alkyldimethylammonium chlorides

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

In a reliable guideline study, an acute 48 hour EC50 value of 0.016 mg a.i./L for freshwater invertebrates (Daphnia magna) was obtained. In another reliable guideline study, an acute 48 hour EC50 value of 0.32 mg a.i./L for marine water invertebrates (Acartia tonsa) was obtained. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50/LC50 for freshwater invertebrates:

0.016 mg/L

EC50/LC50 for marine water invertebrates:

0.32 mg/L

Additional information

An acute guideline study using Daphnia magna was conducted with the read-across substance C12-16 ADBAC. Daphnids were exposed in a static test to nominal concentrations of 0, 0.0095, 0.015, 0.024, 0.039, 0.063 and 0.1 mg/L, using 20 daphnids per concentration. Analytical determination was performed for the test substance. Analytical control at the end of the exposure demonstrated that concentrations remained constant throughout the exposure period. However, measured concentrations differed from 62% at 0.015 mg/L, increasing to 97 and 96% for 0.063 and 0.1 mg/L. Concentrations for the lower levels could not be analysed as they were below the detection limit of 7.3 µg/L. Under the conditions of the study, 48 hour EC50 was 0.016 mg a.i./L and the NOEC was 0.0048 mg a.i./L (Thiébaud HN,1999).

In another guideline study, the acute toxicity of C12-16 ADBAC toDaphnia magnaunder static conditions was investigated in groups of twenty Daphnia. The test organisms were exposed for 48 hours to nominal concentrations of 0, 0.007, 0.012, 0.019, 0.031 and 0.052 mg a.i./L. The test media were prepared in softened Elendt M4 medium. Analytical determination was performed for the test substance. Observations of the Daphnia were made after approximately 24 and 48 hours. Under the conditions of the study, the 48 hour EC50 was 0.016 mg a.i./L and the NOEC was 0.012 mg a.i./L (Jenkins CA, 2007).

A study was conducted to determine the effect of 48 hour exposure of Acartia tonsa, to C12-14 ADBAC. The test was performed on 14 d old organisms. The test dosages (nominal) were 0, 0.05, 0.2, 0.8 and 3.2 mg/L. The reference substance 3,5-dichlorophenol was included in the study. Under the conditions of the study, the NOEC, LC10, LC50 and LC90 values at 48 h were 0.2 (0.16 mg a.i. /L), 0.37 (0.3 mg a..i. /L), 0.40 (0.32 mg a.i. /L) and 0.43 mg/L (0.34 mg a.i. /L), respectively (Haug SI, 2003).