Ammonia, anhydrous

Sediment toxicity

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

sediment toxicity: long-term

Type of information:

other: Assessment of SNIFFER

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

data from handbook or collection of data

Principles of method if other than guideline:

not relevant since statement in report

GLP compliance:

no

Dose descriptor:

other: see remarks on results

Nominal / measured:

not specified

Conc. based on:

other: not relevant

Basis for effect:

other: see remarks on results

Remarks on result:

not measured/tested

Remarks:

The presented values are NOT relevant for the risk assessment. The publication contains a statement (see below) but does not provide further information. However, using IUCLID 6.5.15 (most recent version at dossier preparation), the CSR generator does not work without having the entries populated. Therefore dummy information was added.

Details on results:

Ammonia does not accumulate in sediments and the derivation of sediment PNECs for the protection of benthic organisms is not required. Given the high water solubility of ammonia, bioaccumulation is not considered important.

Executive summary:

Ammonia does not accumulate in sediments and the derivation of sediment PNECs for the protection of benthic organisms is not required. Given the high water solubility of ammonia, bioaccumulation is not considered important.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

sediment toxicity: short-term

Type of information:

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

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Justification for type of information:

see read across justification

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

1.9 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Remarks:

NH3

Basis for effect:

mortality

Details on results:

Since the result was reported based on NH3, no conversion is needed for read across.

Executive summary:

The 96 hour toxicity of ammonium chloride to the sediment dwelling cladoceran Chydorus sphaericus was determined in a sediment-free system. The LC50 was reported based on the NH3 concentration. The 96 hour LC50 was 1.9 mg NH3/L.

Since the result was reported based on NH3, no conversion is needed for read across.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

sediment toxicity: short-term

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

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

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Four species of marine or estuarine amphipods (Rhepoxynius abronius, Eohaustorius estuarius, Ampelisca abdita and Grandidierella japonica) were exposed to ammonia in seawater, in the absence of sediment, under controlled laboratory conditions, to determine the concentrations of ammonia that would be acutely toxic to those species.

GLP compliance:

no

Water media type:

saltwater

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

0.83 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Remarks:

NH3

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: A. abdita (was found to be the most sensitive to ammonia)

Details on results:

A. abdita was found to be the most sensitive to ammonia, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 49.8 mg/liter total ammonia (0.83 mg/liter as un-ionized ammonia). R. abronius was also relatively sensitive: LC50 = 78.7 mg/liter total ammonia (1.59 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia). E. estuarius and G. japonica were less sensitive, with estimated LC50 values of 125.5 mg/liter and 148.3 mg/liter total ammonia, respectively (2.49 mg/liter and 3.35 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia). The absence of sediment did not appear to influence the response of the amphipods over the 96-h exposure period.

Executive summary:

A. abdita was found to be the most sensitive to ammonia, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 49.8 mg/liter total ammonia (0.83 mg/liter as un-ionized ammonia). R. abronius was also relatively sensitive: LC50 = 78.7 mg/liter total ammonia (1.59 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia). E. estuarius and G. japonica were less sensitive, with estimated LC50 values of 125.5 mg/liter and 148.3 mg/liter total ammonia, respectively (2.49 mg/liter and 3.35 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia). The absence of sediment did not appear to influence the response of the amphipods over the 96-h exposure period.

Description of key information

Ammonia does not accumulate in sediments and the derivation of sediment PNECs for the protection of benthic organisms is not required. Given the high water solubility of ammonia, bioaccumulation is not considered important.

Additional information

Ammonia does not accumulate in sediments and the derivation of sediment PNECs for the protection of benthic organisms is not required. Given the high water solubility of ammonia, bioaccumulation is not considered important. Based on tests without sediment, sediment dwellers were not more sensitive than pelagic organisms.