Sodium carbonate

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

1959

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Remarks:

Results of all test concentrations not given and no analysis of test solutions).Taken from SIDS on sodium carbonate (2002) where a similar reliability was assigned.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Recommendations of the Committee on Research, Subcommittee on Toxicity, Section III, Federation of Sewage and Industrial Wastes Associations were followed.

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test organisms (species):

Lepomis macrochirus

Details on test organisms:

- Strain: common blue gill, Lepomis macrochirus Raf - Wild caught: From various sources, private fish hatchery in Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Fish Commission.
- Age/size/weight/loading: three different sizes tested; small, 3.88 cm and 0.96 grams (average); medium, 6.09 cm and 2.80 grams (average); large, 14.24 cm and 54.26 grams (average).
- Feeding: daily with chopped, freshly cooked shrimp.
- Pretreatment: seven days acclimatisation to test conditions.
- Feeding during test: No feeding during the test.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Post exposure observation period:

no

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Concentrations: Not reported.
- Dosing rate: Not reported.
- Exposure vessel type: 5 gallon glass jars with cork stoppers immersed in a constant temperature water bath.
- Number of replicates, fish per replicate: 5 to 10 fish in each jar, depending on fish size.
- Test temperature: 19-21 C
- Dissolved oxygen: 5-9 ppm
- pH: measured but not further described.
- Adjustment of pH: Not reported.
- Intensity of irradiation: Not reported.
- Photoperiod: Not reported.

TEST PARAMETER: Death = cessation of gill movement and lack of response to a mechanical stimulus for a period of 5 minutes.

SAMPLING: Not reported.

MONITORING OF TEST SUBSTANCE CONCENTRATION: Not reported.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

300 mg/L

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

RESULTS: EXPOSED
- Nominal/measured concentrations: No measured
concentrations reported.
- Concentration / response curve: Not reported.
- Effect concentration vs. test substance solubility: Not
reported.
- Other effects: not reported.
RESULTS: CONTROL
- Number/percentage of animals showing adverse effects: A
control aquarium was always maintained with 10 fishes.
Nothing further reported.

Conclusions:

bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) exposed to sodium carbonate for 96 h resulted in a median tolerance limits (TLm), denoting the concentration at which 50% mortality occurs, was 300 mg/L for all three sizes .

Executive summary:

A toxicity test with 50 bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) exposed to sodium carbonate and 10 control fish was performed. After 96 hours the mortality was determined. The purpose of the work was to determine the tolerance of three distinct size ranges of the bluegill (small 3.88 cm and 0.96 g, medium 6.09 cm and 2.80 g, large 14.24 cm and 54.26 g). The median tolerance limits (TLm), denoting the concentration at which 50% mortality occurs, was 300 mg/L for all three sizes .

Description of key information

A toxicity test with 50 bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) exposed to sodium carbonate and 10 control fish was performed. After 96 hours the mortality was determined. The purpose of the work was to determine the tolerance of three distinct size ranges of the bluegill (small 3.88 cm and 0.96 g, medium 6.09 cm and 2.80 g, large 14.24 cm and 54.26 g). The median tolerance limits (TLm), denoting the concentration at which 50% mortality occurs, was 300 mg/L for all three sizes.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

300 mg/L