Alkenes, C10-12, C11-rich

Short-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

Experimental and calculated values are used to indicate the range of toxicity expected.

Additional information

Data on the toxicity of alkenes to fish is available for the carbon number range C6 -C12. Two QSAR have also been run to support the experimental data (Nabholz and Mayo-Bean, 2009; DiToro et al, 2010). The available data is summarised in the table below.

The experimental data indicates that toxicity to fish increases with carbon number from C6-C10, as log Kow increases. At carbon numbers above this acute toxicity is not observed at the limits of solubility. The QSAR values are in good agreement with the experimental data. Both the experimental data and Petrotox indicate that acute toxicity is not observed at C12, although Nabholz and Mayo-Bean (2009) predicts that toxicity would still be observed. As experimental data is available this is used as key, with the QSAR as supporting information.

Summary

·        C6 – toxicity is observed at 1 – 10 mg/l (Wyness, 1991; Davi 1996a)

·        C8 and C10 – toxicity is observed below 1 mg/l (Davi 1996b and c; Brixham Environmental Laboratories, 2010a)

·        C12 and higher – no toxicity to fish is expected (Brixham Environmental Laboratories, 2010b; Davi, 1996d; Drottar and Swigert, 1995)

Major Carbon Number	6	8	10	12
Experimental	Hex-1-ene LC50 5.6mg/l M Alkenes C4-7 LC50 6.6mg/l M	Alkenes C7-9 LC50 0.87mg/l M	Dec-1-ene LC50 >1.5mg/l N Alkenes C9-13 LC50 0.12mg/l M	Dodec-1-ene LC50 >sol Alkenes C10-14 LL50 >sol
ECOSAR	LC50 6.3mg/l	LC50 1.2mg/l	LC50 0.2mg/l	LC50 0.03mg/l
PETROTOX	LL50 11mg/l	LL50 2.1mg/l	LL50 0.4mg/l	LL50 >sol

M = measured. N = nominal.

At C8 and above the log Kow of the substance is above 5, the maximum log Kow within ECOSAR. These values should therefore be viewed as indicative.