Ammonium hydrogensulphite

Toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods: long-term

Data waiving:

other justification

Justification for data waiving:

other:

Reference 2

Endpoint:

toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods: short-term

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

The study is comparable to the current OECD TG 207. However, the results are probably distorted due to interfering ammonia effects due to the test design.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: US EPA/600/3-88/029. (Earthworm survival)

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 207 (Earthworm, Acute Toxicity Tests)

GLP compliance:

not specified

Remarks:

not specified in publication

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Total and free ammonia were measured on days 1 and 7.

Vehicle:

no

Details on preparation and application of test substrate:

Stock solutions of NH4Cl were prepared on the test day or the previous day. Mixing into soil was not described.

Test organisms (species):

Eisenia fetida

Animal group:

annelids

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Source: Carolina Biological Supply (Burlington, NC)
- Age at test initiation: adult clitellate worms
- Weight at test initiation: 300-600 mg

Study type:

laboratory study

Substrate type:

artificial soil

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

14 d

Test temperature:

22 +/- 2 °C

pH:

7.6

Moisture:

40mL deionized water per 100 g dry soil

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test container (material, size): screw-top glass jars with one small nail hole punched in the lid for air exchange
- Amount of soil or substrate: 200 g dw
- No. of organisms per container (treatment): 10
- No. of replicates per treatment group: 4
- No. of replicates per control: 4

SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE
- Composition (if artificial substrate): 70% 70-grade washed Silica Sand, 20% Kaolin Clay, 10% Canadian Peat Moss, CaCO3 for pH adjustment.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: constant light
- Light intensity: 400 lux

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable): Mortality measured after 7 and 14 days.

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal: 0 (control), 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg NH4Cl/kg
Measured: Day 1: 0, 95.6, 191, 283, 371, 478 mg/kg total ammonia N
Day 7: Day 14:

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

2-chloroacetamid & KCl

Duration:

7 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

75 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

other: NH4 (ammonium)

Basis for effect:

mortality

Key result

Duration:

14 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

54 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

other: NH4 (ammonium)

Basis for effect:

mortality

Duration:

7 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

223 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

NH4Cl

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: SD: 65 mg/kg

Duration:

14 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

163 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

NH4Cl

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: SD: 35 mg/kg

Details on results:

- Nominal concentrations, with the average of the measured concentrations (for five concentrations), were at 95% of the nominal concentration.
- No control mortality was observed.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

KCl:
7 day LC50: 6340 +/- 665 mg/kg soil dw
14 day LC50: 6030 +/- 689 mg/kg soil dw

2-Chloroacetamide:
7 day LC50: 33.3 +/- 12.1 mg/kg soil dw
14 day LC50: 33.1 +/- 11.7 mg/kg soil dw

Reported statistics and error estimates:

LC50 with 95% Confidence Interval was calculated with trimmed Spearman-Karber Method.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Remarks:

control survival > 90%

Conclusions:

In a 14-d acute earthworm toxicity test according to US EPA/600/3-88/029, Eisenia fetida worms were exposed to ammonium chloride in artificial soil and effects on survival were assessed after 7 and 14 days. The 14 d LC50 for ammnonium chloride amounts to 163 mg/kg soil dw (nominal, analytically verified), which corresponds to a 14 d LC50 of 54 mg NH4/kg soil dw (nominal) for ammonium.