Sulfite liquors and Cooking liquors, green

Endpoint summary

Additional information

The main constituents of GL are carbonate, inorganic sulfur at different oxidation states and sodium and potassium alkaline metal ion, all very common and essential elements in the environment and earth’s crust. Only small amounts of organic compounds are present in GL (TOC 60 mg/l wwt in the reference test material). Bioaccumulation is not an important or evenarelevant issue regarding these inorganic constituents. Practically taken all species tend to regulate internal concentrations of these basic life supporting ions/elements throughassimilation,active regulation or adaptation mechanisms. For instance sulfur is an essential element for all life forms. It is a component in several groups of biomolecules such as the amino acids cysteine and methionine, many proteins, coenzymes and vitamins. It also acts as a catalyst in chlorophyll production and is needed in the conversion of inorganic nitrogen into proteins. However, sulfur is not known to bioconcentrate or bioaccumulate in biota at harmful levels. No testing for bioaccumulation is needed, sincethe constituents of green liquor have known low potential for bioaccumulation.