Ammonia, anhydrous

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

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

Adequacy of study:

key study

Justification for type of information:

see read across justification

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

0.79 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

other: non-ionised ammonia-N

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks:

and reproduction

Details on results:

Survival was slightly less at the two highest test concentrations (73%) than at the other treatments (86-100%) but were not significantly different from the control. Daphnid growth (determined by length) was significantly reduced at the higher test concentration of 1.3 mg/L NH3-N. Mean length for the control and the high concentration were 3.52 and 3.02 mm respectively. Reproduction was also affected. The first young were produced on day 7 of the test in all treatments except the highest concentration, where no young were found until day 9. The average number of young/adult was significantly lower at that concentration-6.4 versus 24.6 in the control.

The overall NOEC is 0.79 mg NH3-N/L (measeured).

Applying the converstion factor from NH3-N to NH3, the overall NOEC of 0.79 mg NH3-N/L corresponds to a concentration of 0.961 mg NH3/L.

Executive summary:

The authors investigated the long-term effects of ammonium chloride exposure to Daphnia magna. Survival was slightly less at the two highest test concentrations (73%) than at the other treatments (86-100%) but were not significantly different from the control. Daphnid growth (determined by length) was significantly reduced at the higher test concentration of 1.3 mg/L NH3-N. Mean length for the control and the high concentration were 3.52 and 3.02 mm respectively. Reproduction was also affected. The first young were produced on day 7 of the test in all treatments except the highest concentration, where no young were found until day 9. The average number of young/adult was significantly lower at that concentration-6.4 versus 24.6 in the control.

The overall NOEC is 0.79 mg NH3-N/L (measured).

Applying the converstion factor from NH3-N to NH3, the overall NOEC of 0.79 mg NH3-N/L corresponds to a concentration of 0.961 mg NH3/L.

Description of key information

A NOEC of 0.961 mg/L was identified in a long-term study in Daphnia magna.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect concentration:

0.961 mg/L

Additional information

Reinbold & Pescitelli (1990) investigated the long-term effects of ammonium chloride exposure to Daphnia magna. Survival was slightly less at the two highest test concentrations (73%) than at the other treatments (86-100%) but were not significantly different from the control. Daphnid growth (determined by length) was significantly reduced at the higher test concentration of 1.3 mg/L NH3. Mean length for the control and the high concentration were 3.52 and 3.02 mm respectively. Reproduction was also affected. The first young were produced on day 7 of the test in all treatments except the highest concentration, where no young were found until day 9. The average number of young/adult was significantly lower at that concentration-6.4 versus 24.6 in the control.

 

Applying the conversion factor from NH3-N to NH3, the overall NOEC of 0.79 mg NH3-N/L corresponds to a concentration of 0.961 mg NH3/L.