Calcium diformate

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

(Q)SAR

Adequacy of study:

other information

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

This QSAR program does not not fully meet the OECD Principles for (Q)SAR Validation (inter alia no internal cross-validation and no external validation was performed); for some classes rather small training sets were used as experimental basis; results can nevertheless be used as rough estimation

Justification for type of information:

QSAR prediction: migrated from IUCLID 5.6

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: other: calculated ECOSAR (v0.99h)

Test organisms (species):

other: daphnids

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

1 210 g/L

ECOSAR class found: Neutral Organics 

The EC50 value is greater than the water solubility (160 g/l).

Reference 2

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Dec 15, 1989 to Dec 17, 1989

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: U.S. EPA (1975): Methods for acute toxicty tests with fish,  macroinvertebrates, and amphibians; EPA-660/3-75-009

GLP compliance:

yes

Remarks:

according to Quality Assurance Officer

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

- Sampling method: 100 mL was collected at test start and after 96 h and in duplicate from control and each concentration.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: samples were frozen and shipped to Hoechst Celanese Corp.

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Water flea
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD): first instar; age < 24 h

Test type:

flow-through

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Test temperature:

20 +- 1 °C

pH:

7.9-8.2

Dissolved oxygen:

8.6-8.8 mg/L, representing 97-99% of the maximum saturation at 19 °C

Nominal and measured concentrations:

0 (control), 60, 120, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L (nominal)
< 5 (control), 74, 122, 247, 447, and 1070 mg/L (measured)

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): Glass beakers
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: 1 L
- Type of flow-through: proportional diluter
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): 6.1 volume replacements per day
- No. of organisms per vessel: 5
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 4 

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Hard blended water (a mixture of reverse osmosis and  well water; hardness: 178 mg/L; 
alkalinity: 210 mg/L; pH 7.8)
- Total organic carbon: < 1.0 mg/L
- Particulate matter: 0.6 mg/L
- Metals: below detection level (except for Hg: 0.0005 ppm)
- Pesticides: below detection level (< 0.5 ppb)
- Conductivity: 360 µMHOS/cm
- Culture medium different from test medium:
- Intervals of water quality measurement: at least quarterly screens

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light / 8 h dark 

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : daily for mortality and abnormal effects
- Test item concentrations were analyzed in duplicate at test  start and after 48 h
- temperature, oxygen, and pH at 0 and 48  hours

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: 2

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

120 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC0

Effect conc.:

250 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Mortality and sublethal effects
  

Concentration [mg/L]		Cumulative mortality (n)		Abnormal effects
Nominal	Mean measured	24 h	48 h	(n)
0	0	1*	1*	0
60	74	1*	1*	0
120	122	0	0	0
250	247	0	0	3
500	447	1	1	2
1000	1070	1	1	9

* not considered to be compound-related

Measured test item concentrations

Sample ID	Sodium formate (ppm) in samples taken at				Mean
	0 h		48 h		measured
	sample 1	sample 2	sample 1	sample 2	concentrations
Control	< 5		< 5		< 5
60 mg/L	71	70	77	76	74
120 mg/L	116	126	122	122	122
250 mg/L	257	252	232	248	247
500 mg/L	461	462	429	437	447
1000 mg/L	1094	1081	1028	1076	1070

Oxygen, temperature, and pH values were within the recommended limits. 

Mean measured concentrations were were > 80% and < 120% compared to nominal concentrations. 

Results are expressed as nominal concentrations.

Conclusions:

The 48 hour EC50 of sodium formate to Daphnia magna was observed to be >1000 mg/L and the corresponding NOEC was 120 mg/L.

Executive summary:

The acute toxicity of sodium formate to Daphnia magna was determined. The study was carried out according to US EPA (1975) Methods for acute toxicity tests with fish, macroinvertebrates and amphibians, EPA 660/3-75-009. In this study Daphnia were exposed to sodium formate over a test period of 48 hours under flow-through test conditions. Nominal exposure concentrations were 0 (control), 60, 120, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L, the mean measured concentrations were < 5 (control), 74, 122, 247, 447, and 1070 mg/L.  The results of the study were based on the nominal concentrations.

The 48 hour EC50 of sodium formate to Daphnia magna was observed to be >1000 mg/L and the corresponding NOEC was 120 mg/L. 

Reference 3

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

Guideline study under GLP conditions, but test item concentrations not verified analytically

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, U.K.

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: Direct dispersion in water

Test organisms (species):

Crangon crangon

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Brown shrimp
- Source: P. Garnett, King's Lynn, Norfolk, Great Britain
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): 1.44 g (SD = 0.29 g)
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 3.8 cm (SD = 0.4 cm)
- Feeding during test: none


ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: Stock held since 21 Nov 1991 and acclimatised to test conditions from 21 Nov 1991.
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): yes
- Type and amount of food: none
- Health during acclimation (any mortality observed): 1.7% in 4 d prior to study

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

saltwater

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test temperature:

14 °C

pH:

8.2 to 8.3

Dissolved oxygen:

8.1 to 8.3 mg/L

Salinity:

32 ‰

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0 (control), 1000, 1800, 3200, 5600 and 10000 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: glass aquaria holding 20 L of test media
- Aeration: via narrow bore glass tubes
- Type of flow-through (e.g. peristaltic or proportional diluter):
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): daily renewal
- No. of organisms per vessel: 20
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 1
- Biomass loading rate: 1.44 g/L


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: sea water (Synthetica (R)) at 32 ‰ and aerated for at least 12 h prior to use


OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light : 8 h dark


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- observations: mortality and moulting incidence after 3, 6, 24, 48, 72,  and 96 h 
- measurements: pH, temperature, and oxygen content at test start and  after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h


TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: ca. 1.8

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

1 308 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 1237 to 1382 mg/L

Mortality

Concentration (mg/L)	Cumulative mortality (n)
	3h	6h	24h	48h	72h	96h
Control	0	0	0	0	0	0
1000	0	0	0	0	0	0
1800	0	0	3	14	20	20
3200	0	8	20	20	20	20
5600	3	20	20	20	20	20
10000	20	20	20	20	20	20

   

Moulting incidence
After 48 h, 1 moult cast was observed in the 1800 mg/l concentration. 

Effect values

24-h LC50 = 2063 mg/l
48-h LC50 = 1623 mg/l
72-h LC50 = 1427 mg/l

Conclusions:

A 96 h LC50 value of 1308 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived from Crangon crangon exposed to potassium formate.

Executive summary:

A reliable GLP study was conducted according to Guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, UK, to investigate the short-term toxicity of potassium formate to the marine invertebrate, Crangon crangon. The test item concentrations were not analytically verified, but can be assumed to be stable over the test period. A 96 h LC50 value of 1308 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Dec 15, 1989 to Dec 17, 1989

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrate data requirement for calcium formate by read-across to an available study on sodium formate.

Calcium formate and sodium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. For aquatic toxicity endpoints, the category is appropriate for formic acid and its salts because salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions. It is therefore expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of sodium formate and calcium formate will be similar.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: U.S. EPA (1975): Methods for acute toxicty tests with fish,  macroinvertebrates, and amphibians; EPA-660/3-75-009

GLP compliance:

yes

Remarks:

according to Quality Assurance Officer

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Sodium formate is being used as a read-across for calcium formate.

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

- Sampling method: 100 mL was collected at test start and after 96 h and in duplicate from control and each concentration.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: samples were frozen and shipped to Hoechst Celanese Corp.

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Water flea
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD): first instar; age < 24 h

Test type:

flow-through

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Test temperature:

20 +- 1 °C

pH:

7.9-8.2

Dissolved oxygen:

8.6-8.8 mg/L, representing 97-99% of the maximum saturation at 19 °C

Nominal and measured concentrations:

0 (control), 60, 120, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L (nominal)
< 5 (control), 74, 122, 247, 447, and 1070 mg/L (measured)

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): Glass beakers
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: 1 L
- Type of flow-through: proportional diluter
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): 6.1 volume replacements per day
- No. of organisms per vessel: 5
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 4 

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Hard blended water (a mixture of reverse osmosis and  well water; hardness: 178 mg/L; 
alkalinity: 210 mg/L; pH 7.8)
- Total organic carbon: < 1.0 mg/L
- Particulate matter: 0.6 mg/L
- Metals: below detection level (except for Hg: 0.0005 ppm)
- Pesticides: below detection level (< 0.5 ppb)
- Conductivity: 360 µMHOS/cm
- Culture medium different from test medium:
- Intervals of water quality measurement: at least quarterly screens

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light / 8 h dark 

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : daily for mortality and abnormal effects
- Test item concentrations were analyzed in duplicate at test  start and after 48 h
- temperature, oxygen, and pH at 0 and 48  hours

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: 2

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

120 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC0

Effect conc.:

250 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Mortality and sublethal effects
  

Concentration [mg/L]		Cumulative mortality (n)		Abnormal effects
Nominal	Mean measured	24 h	48 h	(n)
0	0	1*	1*	0
60	74	1*	1*	0
120	122	0	0	0
250	247	0	0	3
500	447	1	1	2
1000	1070	1	1	9

* not considered to be compound-related

Measured test item concentrations

Sample ID	Sodium formate (ppm) in samples taken at				Mean
	0 h		48 h		measured
	sample 1	sample 2	sample 1	sample 2	concentrations
Control	< 5		< 5		< 5
60 mg/L	71	70	77	76	74
120 mg/L	116	126	122	122	122
250 mg/L	257	252	232	248	247
500 mg/L	461	462	429	437	447
1000 mg/L	1094	1081	1028	1076	1070

Oxygen, temperature, and pH values were within the recommended limits. 

Mean measured concentrations were were > 80% and < 120% compared to nominal concentrations. 

Results are expressed as nominal concentrations.

Conclusions:

The 48 hour EC50 of sodium formate to Daphnia magna was observed to be >1000 mg/L and the corresponding NOEC was 120 mg/L and is considered suitable for read-across to calcium formate.

Executive summary:

It is considered appropriate to address the short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates data requirement for calcium formate by read-across to an available study on sodium formate. Calcium formate and sodium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. For aquatic toxicity endpoints, the category is appropriate for formic acid and its salts because salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions. It is therefore expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of sodium formate and calcium formate will be similar. 

The acute toxicity of sodium formate to Daphnia magna was determined. The study was carried out according to US EPA (1975) Methods for acute toxicity tests with fish, macroinvertebrates and amphibians, EPA 660/3-75-009. In this study Daphnia were exposed to sodium formate over a test period of 48 hours under flow-through test conditions. Nominal exposure concentrations were 0 (control), 60, 120, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L, the mean measured concentrations were < 5 (control), 74, 122, 247, 447, and 1070 mg/L.  The results of the study were based on the nominal concentrations.

The 48 hour EC50 of sodium formate to Daphnia magna was observed to be >1000 mg/L and the corresponding NOEC was 120 mg/L, which is also considered to be appropriate for read-across to calcium formate.

Reference 5

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

Guideline study under GLP conditions, but test item concentrations not verified analytically

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrate data requirement for calcium formate by read-across to an available study on potassium formate.

Calcium formate and potassium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. For aquatic toxicity endpoints, the category is appropriate for formic acid and its salts because salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions. It is therefore expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of potassium formate and calcium formate will be similar.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, U.K.

GLP compliance:

yes

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Potassium formate is being used as a read-across for calcium formate.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: Direct dispersion in water

Test organisms (species):

Crangon crangon

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Brown shrimp
- Source: P. Garnett, King's Lynn, Norfolk, Great Britain
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): 1.44 g (SD = 0.29 g)
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 3.8 cm (SD = 0.4 cm)
- Feeding during test: none


ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: Stock held since 21 Nov 1991 and acclimatised to test conditions from 21 Nov 1991.
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): yes
- Type and amount of food: none
- Health during acclimation (any mortality observed): 1.7% in 4 d prior to study

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

saltwater

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test temperature:

14 °C

pH:

8.2 to 8.3

Dissolved oxygen:

8.1 to 8.3 mg/L

Salinity:

32 ‰

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0 (control), 1000, 1800, 3200, 5600 and 10000 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: glass aquaria holding 20 L of test media
- Aeration: via narrow bore glass tubes
- Type of flow-through (e.g. peristaltic or proportional diluter):
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): daily renewal
- No. of organisms per vessel: 20
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 1
- Biomass loading rate: 1.44 g/L


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: sea water (Synthetica (R)) at 32 ‰ and aerated for at least 12 h prior to use


OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light : 8 h dark


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- observations: mortality and moulting incidence after 3, 6, 24, 48, 72,  and 96 h 
- measurements: pH, temperature, and oxygen content at test start and  after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h


TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: ca. 1.8

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

1 308 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 1237 to 1382 mg/L

Mortality

Concentration (mg/L)	Cumulative mortality (n)
	3h	6h	24h	48h	72h	96h
Control	0	0	0	0	0	0
1000	0	0	0	0	0	0
1800	0	0	3	14	20	20
3200	0	8	20	20	20	20
5600	3	20	20	20	20	20
10000	20	20	20	20	20	20

   

Moulting incidence
After 48 h, 1 moult cast was observed in the 1800 mg/l concentration. 

Effect values

24-h LC50 = 2063 mg/l
48-h LC50 = 1623 mg/l
72-h LC50 = 1427 mg/l

Conclusions:

A 96 h LC50 value of 1308 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived from Crangon crangon exposed to potassium formate and is considered suitable for read-across to calcium formate.

Executive summary:

It is considered appropriate to address the short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates data requirement for calcium formate by read-across to an available study on potassium formate. Calcium formate and potassium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. For aquatic toxicity endpoints, the category is appropriate for formic acid and its salts because salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions. It is therefore expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of potassium formate and calcium formate will be similar.

A reliable GLP study was conducted according to Guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, UK, to investigate the short-term toxicity of potassium formate to the marine invertebrate, Crangon crangon. The test item concentrations were not analytically verified, but can be assumed to be stable over the test period. A 96 h LC50 value of 1308 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived.

Description of key information

With high probability acutely not harmful to aquatic invertebrates

Additional information

Studies are available which assessed the acute toxicity of sodium formate and potassium formate to the aquatic invertebrates Daphnia magna and Crangon crangon, respectively. These studies resulted in a 48-h EC50 value of >1000 mg/L for D. magna (sodium formate exposure) and a 96-h LC50 value of 1308 mg/L for C. crangon (potassium formate exposure) (Hoechst Celanese, 1990; HRC, 1992).

Calcium formate, sodium formate and potassium formate are all salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. The salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions, therefore it is expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of calcium formate, sodium formate and potassium formate will be similar and these studies are considered suitable for read-across to calcium formate.

As such, it is concluded that calcium formate is not acutely toxic to aquatic invertebrates.