Lithium chloride

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

1997-06-13 to 1997-12-23

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

Version / remarks:

1992

Deviations:

no

Principles of method if other than guideline:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Samples were analyzed for lithium in triplicate using a FLM-AAS method developed and validated by the FMC Corporation. Measured concentrations of lithium chloride were calculated by multiplying measured lithium concentrations by 14.427.

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Test solutions were prepared by adding appropriate amounts of lithium chloride (0.56, 1.12, 2.25, 4.50 and 9.00 g) to 9 L volumes of dilution water. The A and B replicates were prepared separately. A control of only dilution water was maintained concurrently with the test solutions.

Test organisms (species):

Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)

Details on test organisms:

Rainbow trout used for the test ranged from 24 to 30 mm standard length (mean and standard deviation = 27 +/- 1.6 mm) and from 0.13 to 0.27 g wet weight (mean and standard deviation = 0.2 +/- 0.05 g) as measured from the control fish at test termination. Loading was calculated to be 0.22 g of fish tissue per liter of test solution.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Hardness:

c(CaCO3)= 56 mg/L

Test temperature:

11.9 - 13.4°C

pH:

The pH of the test solutions was affected by the presence of lithium chloride (i.e., the pH increased as the test substance concentrations increased).
The pH values of all test solutions ranged from 7.5 to 8.7 at test initiation and from 7.0 to 7.5 for the remainder of the test.

Dissolved oxygen:

10.6 to 11.0 mg/L (98 - 102 % of saturation) at test initiation;
≥ 6.6 mg/L (≥ 61 % of saturation) for the remainder of the test

Salinity:

Not applicable

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal concentrations: Control, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg LiCl/L
Measured concentrations: 0.0, 59.4, 188, 249, 516 and 1021 mg LiCl/L

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Key result

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

158 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (geom. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

LiCl

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 118 and 249 mg/L

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

59.4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (geom. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

LiCl

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Details on results:

The 96-hour LC50 was 158 mg/L (based upon mean measured concentrations) with 95 % confidence limits of 118 and 249 mg/L. The NOEC was 59.4 mg/L based on the lack of mortality at this, the lowest, test concentration.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

No reference substance control

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The LC50 values were estimated by a computer program using the following statistical methods: moving average angle, probit, logit, and non-linear interpolation. Confidence limits for LC50 values determined by non-linear interpolation were calculated by binomial probability. The method selected for reporting the test results was determined by the characteristics of the data, i.e., the presence or absence of 0% and 100% mortality and the number of concentrations in which mortalities between 0 and 100 % occurred.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The 96 hour LC50 was 158 mg/L (based upon mean measured concentrations) with 95 % confidence limits of 118 and 249 mg/L. The NOEC
was 59.4 mg/L based on the lack of mortality at this, the lowest, test concentration.

Executive summary:

A static freshwater toxicity test was conducted to determine the acute toxicity of lithium chloride to rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss according to OECD Guideline No. 203. Mean measured concentration of lithium chloride ranged from 59.4 to 1021 mg/L and from 94 to 103 % of nominal concentrations. All test solutions appeared clear and colourless and concentrations remained stable throughout the test. The pH of the test solutions was affected by the presence of lithium chloride (i.e., the pH increased as the test substance concentrations increased). The pH values of all test solutions ranged from 7.5 to 8.7 at test initiation and from 7.0 to 7.5 for the remainder of the test. Mortality of the rainbow trout exposed for 96 hours to lithium chloride ranged from 0 % at 59.4 mg/L to 100 % at test concentrations smaller or equal to 249 mg/L. No mortality occurred in the dilution water control. The 96-hour LC50 was 158 mg/L with 95 % confidence limits of 118 and 249 mg/L. The slope of the concentration response curve could not be calculated using the binomial method. The NOEC was 59.4 mg/L based on a lack of mortality at the lowest test concentration.

Description of key information

The acute toxic effects of lithium chloride to rainbow trout were investigated according to OECD Guideline 203. The 96-hour LC50 was 158 mg/L (based upon mean measured concentrations) with 95 % confidence limits of 118 and 249 mg/L. The NOEC was 59.4 mg/L based on the lack of mortality at the lowest, test concentration.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

158 mg/L

Additional information

A static freshwater toxicity test was conducted to determine the acute toxicity of lithium chloride to rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss according to OECD Guideline 203. Mean measured concentration of lithium chloride ranged from 59.4 to 1021 mg/L and from 94 to 103 % of nominal concentrations. Mortality of the rainbow trout exposed for 96 hours to lithium chloride ranged from 0 % at 59.4 mg/L to 100 % at test concentrations greater or equal to 249 mg/L. No mortality occurred in the dilution water control. The 96-hour LC50 was 158 mg/L with 95 % confidence limits of 118 and 249 mg/L. The NOEC was 59.4 mg/L based on a lack of mortality at the lowest test concentration.