Potassium carbonate

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:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1994-0222 to 1994-02-24

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: FIFRA Guideline 72-1 (national standard, US, comparable to international guidelines)

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Water flea (Daphnia magna)
- Source: Springborn Laboratories culture facility
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD):
- Feeding during test: not reported

ACCLIMATION: not reported

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Hardness:

Total hardness as CaCO3: 180 mg/L

Test temperature:

19 - 21°C

pH:

8.1

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal test concentrations: 110, 180, 300, 510 and 850 mg a.i./L
measured concentrations: 120, 190, 320, 530 and 940 mg a.i./L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM: not reported, only exerpts of the study report available

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Hard reconstituted water
- Alkalinity: Total alkalinity as CaCO3: 120 mg/L
- Conductivity: 500 μmhos/cm
- Culture medium different from test medium:not reported

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: not reported
- Photoperiod: 16 hours light, 8 hours dark
- Light intensity: 50 footcandles at test initiation


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : mobility


TEST CONCENTRATIONS: not reported, only exerpts od study report available

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

430 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 190 - 940 mg a.i./L)

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

190 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Binominal probability was used to calculate the EC50.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Remarks:

only exerpts of study report available

Conclusions:

In a 48-h acute toxicity study according to national guideline FIFRA 72-2 the 48-h EC50 for Daphnia magna was 430 mg a.i./L (95% CL: 190 - 940 mg a.i./L). The NOEC, based on mortality, was 190 mg a.i./L.

Executive summary:

The 48–hr-acute toxicity of potassium carbonate to Daphnia magna according to the national guideline FIFRA 72-2 was studied under static conditions.  Daphnids were exposed at concentrations of 120, 190, 320, 530 and 940 mg a.i./L for 48 hr.  Mortality/immobilization effects were observed. The 48 – hour EC₅₀was 430 mg a.i./L.  The 48 – hr NOEC based on mortality/immobilization was 190 mg a.i./L

 

This study is classified as reliable with restrictions and satisfies the guideline requirements for an acute toxicity study with freshwater invertebrates.

 

Results Synopsis

 

Test Organism Age  ≤ 24 hours

 

Test Type (Static): national guideline FIFRA 72-2

 

LC₅₀:  430 mg a.i./L                            95% C.I. :  190 to 940 mg a.i./L

NOEC:  190.mg a.i./L                       

 

Endpoint(s) Effected:  mortality/immobilisation

Reference 2

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

1994-0222 to 1994-02-24

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: FIFRA Guideline 72-1 (national standard, US, comparable to international guidelines)

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia pulex

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Water flea (Daphnia pulex)
- Source: Springborn Laboratories culture facility
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD):
- Feeding during test: not reported

ACCLIMATION: not reported

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Hardness:

Total hardness as CaCO3: 54 mg/L

Test temperature:

19 - 21°C

pH:

7.7

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal test concentrations: 22, 38, 64 110, 180 and 300 mg a.i./L
measured concentrations: 23, 40, 67, 120, 190 and 310 mg a.i./L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM: not reported, only exerpts of the study report available

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: soft reconstituted water
- Alkalinity: Total alkalinity as CaCO3: 33 mg/L
- Conductivity: 200 μmhos/cm
- Culture medium different from test medium: not reported

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: not reported
- Photoperiod: 16 hours light, 8 hours dark
- Light intensity: 50 footcandles at test initiation


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : mobility


TEST CONCENTRATIONS: not reported, only exerpts od study report available

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 120 - 310 mg/L

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

120 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Binominal probability was used to calculate the EC50.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Remarks:

no data only exerpts of study report available

Conclusions:

In a 48-h acute toxicity study according to national guideline FIFRA 72-2 the 48-h EC50 for Daphnia pulex was 200 mg a.i./L (95% CL: 120 - 310mg a.i./L). The NOEC, based on mortality, was 120 mg a.i./L.

Executive summary:

The 48–hr-acute toxicity of potassium carbonate to Daphnia pulex according to the national guideline FIFRA 72-2 was studied under static conditions.  Daphnids were exposed at concentrations of 23, 40, 67, 120, 190 and 310 mg a.i./L L for 48 hr.  Mortality/immobilization effects were observed. The 48 – hour EC₅₀was 200 mg a.i./L.  The 48 – hr NOEC based on mortality/immobilization was 120 mg a.i./L

 

This study is classified as reliable with restrictions and satisfies the guideline requirements for an acute toxicity study with freshwater invertebrates.

 

Results Synopsis 

Test Type (Static): national guideline FIFRA 72-2

 

LC₅₀:  200 mg a.i./L                            95% C.I. :  120 to 310 mg a.i./L

NOEC:  120 mg a.i./L                       

 

Endpoint(s) Effected:  mortality/immobilisation

 

Description of key information

48-h EC50 for Daphnia pulex was 200 mg a.i./L (95% CL: 120 - 310mg a.i./L). Despite of this, potassium carbonate is an alkaline substance, which dissociates completely to form potassium cations (K+) and inorganic carbon species. Depending on pH of the receiving waters CO2 is the predominant species at pH values below 6.35, while HCO3- is the predominant species at a pH in the range between 6.35 and 10.33 and CO3 2- is the predominant species at pH values above 10.33.
In the majority of the natural waters, pH levels are between 6 and 10. Thus HCO3- (pKa= 10.33) is the most important species for the buffer capacity.
Therefore the pH will remain within environmentally expected ranges.
Potassium carbonate is not expected to have an intrinsic toxic activity to aquatic organisms.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

200 mg/L

Additional information

In a 48-h acute toxicity study according to national standard (US), comparable to international guideline FIFRA 72 -1, the 48-h EC50 for Daphnia pulex and Daphnia magna were determined. Daphnia pulex was more sensitive than Daphnia magna. The 48-h EC50 was 200 mg a.i./L (95% CL: 120 - 310mg a.i./L) for Daphnia pulex, whereas the 48-h EC50 for Daphnia magna was 430 mg a.i./L (95% CL: 190 - 940 mg a.i./L). The NOEC, based on mortality, was 120 mg a.i./L and 190 mg a.i./L for Daphnia pulex and Daphnia magna, respectively.