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Toxicity to microorganisms

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Reference
Endpoint:
activated sludge respiration inhibition testing
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1991-02-22
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes
Analytical monitoring:
no
Vehicle:
yes
Remarks:
1 % Tween 80-acetone.
Test organisms (species):
sewage, domestic
Details on inoculum:
- Name and location of sewage treatment plant where inoculum was collected: The aeration stage of the HRC Ltd. sewage treatment plant treating predominantly domestic sewage.
- Method of cultivation: The sample was maintained at 20 ± 2 °C with continuous aeration and used within 24 hours of collection. The pH was 7.1 and the suspended solids level of the sample was 4.3 g/L. Consequently, no adjustment of these characteristics was considered necessary.
Test type:
static
Water media type:
freshwater
Limit test:
yes
Total exposure duration:
3 h
Hardness:
350 mg/L (CaCO3)
Test temperature:
21 °C
pH:
6.0 - 8.5
Details on test conditions:
TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: conical flasks
- Type: open
- Material, size, fill volume: glass, 500 mL, 500 mL
- Aeration: Compressed air via narrow bore glass tubes.
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 2
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 2

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Laboratory tap water, dechlorinated by sodium thiosulphate.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: No
- Photoperiod: 3 h light
- Light intensity: Normal laboratory lighting.

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED: BOD, after 30 min and 3 h

Reference substance (positive control):
yes
Remarks:
3,5-dichlorophenol
Key result
Duration:
3 h
Dose descriptor:
IC50
Effect conc.:
> 4 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Key result
Duration:
0 h
Dose descriptor:
NOEC
Effect conc.:
4 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Details on results:
- Any observations (e.g. precipitation) that might cause a difference between measured and nominal values: No
- Effect concentrations exceeding solubility of substance in test medium: Yes, 4 mg/L was the highest test concentration that could be prepared due to the limited solubility of the test substance in water. A satisfactory dispersion of the test substance in water could not be achieved at concentrations in excess of this level.
Results with reference substance (positive control):
- Results with reference substance valid? Yes

Table 1: Summary of te results

Treatment

Conc., mg/L

O2 consumption rates, mgO2/L/min

% inhibition

30 min

Control

-

0.45

-

0.43

-

Test Item

4.0

0.46

<5>

0.47

<7>

Pos. Control

3.2

0.41

7

10.0

0.37

16

32.0

0.08

82

3 h

Control

-

0.39

-

0.39

-

Test Item

4.0

0.40

<3>

0.40

<3>

Pos. Control

3.2

0.37

5

10.0

0.16

59

32.0

0.06

85

<increase>

Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Conclusions:
In this study on toxicity to microorganisms, a 3h-IC50 of above 4 mg/L was determined. The respective NOEC was set to above or equal 4 mg/L.
Executive summary:

In a 3 hour acute toxicity study, cultures of activated sludge were exposed to the test substance at a nominal concentration of 4 mg/L under aerobic conditions in accordance with OECD guideline 209 (Huntingdon, 1991). 4 mg/L was the highest test concentration that could be prepared due to the limited solubility of the test substance in water. A satisfactory dispersion of the test substance in water could not be achieved at concentrations in excess of this level. A 3h-IC50 of above 4 mg/L was determined. The respective NOEC was set to above or equal 4 mg/L.

Description of key information

In an activated sludge respiration inhibition test an IC50 of above 4 mg/L was determined after 3 hours.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Key study

In a 3 hour acute toxicity study, cultures of activated sludge were exposed to the test substance at a nominal concentration of 4 mg/L under aerobic conditions in accordance with OECD guideline 209 (Huntingdon, 1991). 4 mg/L was the highest test concentration that could be prepared due to the limited solubility of the test substance in water. A satisfactory dispersion of the test substance in water could not be achieved at concentrations in excess of this level. A 3h-IC50 of above 4 mg/L was determined. The respective NOEC was set to above or equal to 4 mg/L.