Lithium chloride

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

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

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 202 (Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test)

Version / remarks:

1984

Deviations:

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 the appropriate amounts of lithium chloride (0.0641, 0.1240, 0.2493, 0.5006 and 0.9923 g) directly to five 1 L volumes of dilution water. The resulting nominal concentrations were 64.1, 124, 249, 501, 992 mg LiCl/L. A dilution water control was maintained concurrently with the test solutions.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

Water fleas will be neonates (i.e. <24 hours old) obtained by isolating gravid females from the culture water in food-free dilution water < 24 hours prior to beginning of the test.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Hardness:

c(CaCO3) = 82 mg/L

Test temperature:

19.4 to 20.8°C

pH:

At test initiation: pH 7.1 to 8.6
Remainder of the test: pH 7.0 to 7.1

Dissolved oxygen:

at test initiation: 9.3 mg/L (100 % of saturation)
remainder of the test: 8.4 to 8.9 mg/L (94 to 98 % of saturation)

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal concentrations: control, 64.1, 124, 249, 501 and 992 mg LiCl/L
Measured concentrations: 0.0, 63.4, 123, 249, 501 and 978 mg LiCl/L

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Key result

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

249 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (geom. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

LiCl

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 197 and 315 mg/L

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

63.4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (geom. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

LiCl

Basis for effect:

mobility

Details on results:

The 48-hour EC50 was 249 mg/L (based on mean measured concentrations) with 95% confidence limits of 197 and 315 mg/L. The NOEC was 63.4 mg/L.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

No reference substance

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The EC50 values were estimated by a computer program (Wheat, 1989) using the following statistical methods: moving average angle, probit, logit, and non-linear interpolation. Confidence limits for EC50 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 48-hour EC50 in Daphnia magna was 249 mg lithium chloride/L (based on mean measured concentrations) with 95 % confidence limits of 197 and 315 mg wm/L. The NOEC was 63.4 mg lithium chloride/L.

Executive summary:

A static freshwater toxicity test was conducted to determine the acute toxicity of lithium chloride to the water flea, Daphnia magna according to OECD Guideline 202. Mean measured concentrations of lithium chloride ranged from 63.4 to 978 mg/L and from 99 to 109 % of nominal. All test solutions appeared clear and colourless and concentrations remained stable throughout the test. Mortality of the water flea exposed for 48 hours to lithium chloride ranged from 5 % at test concentrations smaller or equal to 123 mg/L and 100 % at a concentration greater than or equal to 501 mg/L. One water flea treated with 63.4 mg/L died as a result of becoming physically stuck to the wall of the test chamber, his death was not chemically related. Control mortality was 0 %.

The 48-hour EC50 was 249 mg Lithium chloride/L with 95 % confidence limits of 197 and 315 mg/L.

The NOEC was 63.4 mg/L.

Description of key information

The acute toxic effects of lithium chloride to Daphnia magna were investigated according to the principles of OECD Guideline 202. The 48-hour EC50 was 249 mg/L (based on mean measured concentrations) with 95 % confidence limits of 197 and 315 mg/L. The NOEC was 63.4 mg/L.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

249 mg/L

Additional information

A static freshwater toxicity test was conducted to determine the acute toxicity of lithium chloride to the water flea, Daphnia magna according to OECD Guideline 202. Mean measured concentrations of lithium chloride ranged from 63.4 to 978 mg/L and from 99 to 109 % of nominal. All test solutions appeared clear and colourless and concentrations remained stable throughout the test. Mortality of the water flea exposed for 48 hours to lithium chloride ranged from 5 % at test concentrations smaller or equal to 123 mg/L and 100 % at a concentration greater than or equal to 501 mg/L. One water flea treated with 63.4 mg/L died as a result of becoming physically stuck to the wall of the test chamber, his death was not chemically related. Control mortality was 0 %.

The 48-hour EC50 was 249 mg lithium chloride/L with 95 % confidence limits of 197 and 315 mg/L.

The NOEC was 63.4 mg/L.