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EC number: 236-501-8 | CAS number: 13410-01-0
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Toxicity to soil microorganisms
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to soil microorganisms
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Effect of Se on microbial activity in a loamy soil (Haplic Luvisol) with and without organic substrate addition after 28 days of incubation. The endpoint studied was microbial biomass.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Analytical monitoring:
- yes
- Details on sampling:
- Soil samples were taken to measure background Se in the control treatment.
- Vehicle:
- no
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- AMENDMENT OF SOIL
- Type of organic substrate: Loamy soil (Haplic Luvisol) with and without organic substrate addition (glucose and maize straw).
APPLICATION OF TEST SUBSTANCE TO SOIL
- Method: Se, maize leaf straw, and glucose were thoroughly mixed with 1 kg of soil in the amendment treatments immediately before incubation - Test organisms (inoculum):
- soil
- Total exposure duration:
- 28 d
- Test temperature:
- 25 deg C
- Moisture:
- 50% water holding compacity (111 ml water/kg soil)
- Details on test conditions:
- TEST SYSTEM
- Testing facility: laboratory incubation experiment
- Test container (type, material, size): 50 mL beakers in a 1000 mL incubation vessel
- Amount of soil: 40 g (oven-dried)
- No. of replicates per concentration: 3
- No. of replicates per control: 3
SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE (if soil)
- Geographical reference of sampling site (latitude, longitude): an arable site close to Goslar
- Soil texture: Loess-derived Haplic Luvisol
- % sand: No data
- % silt: No data
- % clay: 14%
- Soil taxonomic classification: Haplic Luvisol
- pH (in water): 7.6
- Initial microbial biomass: 280 µg C/g soil
EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : Microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, adenylate energy charge, and metabolic quotient - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal: 0 and 20 mg Se/kg
Selenium background concentration (measured): 1.6 mg Se/kg - Key result
- Duration:
- 28 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 20 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se
- Basis for effect:
- respiration rate
- Key result
- Duration:
- 28 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 20 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se
- Basis for effect:
- other: microbial biomass
- Key result
- Duration:
- 28 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 20 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se
- Basis for effect:
- other: ATP content
- Details on results:
- No adverse effects were observed on microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, ATP, AEC, ATP-to-microbial biomass C, and qCO2.
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- One-way ANOVA, Fisher protected least significant difference test.
- Conclusions:
- In this Klimisch 2 study it was found that the addition of 20 mg Se/kg had about 30% effect on the CO2 evolution in substrate-amended soil, while Se addition did not have a significant adverse effect on any other endpoint studied (microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, ATP, AEC, ATP to microbial biomass). The NOEC was determined to be greater or equal to 20 mg Se/kg dw.
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to soil microorganisms
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
- Remarks:
- The original study language is German; this study has not been translated.
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Measurement of microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity in soil after long-term exposure to metals.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Se added in the form of Na salt
- Analytical monitoring:
- yes
- Details on sampling:
- - Sampling method: Four subsamples were taken from each treated plot and half of the controls.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: Samples were sieved (2 mm) and stored at -18 deg C. - Vehicle:
- no
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- AMENDMENT OF SOIL
- Type of organic substrate: The A horizon (0-25 cm) of a sandy cambisol from a field trial of the Biologische Bundesanstalt was used.
APPLICATION OF TEST SUBSTANCE TO SOIL
- In 1975, the soil was placed in concrete frames of 1x1x1 m. The underlying material was a layer of peat (about 15 cm thick).
- Selenium was added to the soil as a sodium salt and mixed with the A horizon in one to three additions. All treatments were carried out fourfold in two concentrations.
- In the following years tomatoes, potatoes, beans, rye, wheat, barley and rape seed were grown on the plot.
- Weeds were removed occasionally. The soil was dug up twice a year in spring and autumn.
- Samples for mineralisation experiments were obtained by taking four subsamples from the A horizon. - Test organisms (inoculum):
- soil
- Total exposure duration:
- 468 wk
- Remarks:
- 9 years
- Test temperature:
- not reported
- Moisture:
- not reported
- Organic carbon content (% dry weight):
- 1.2
- Nitrogen content (% dry weight):
- 0.08
- Details on test conditions:
- Soil characteristics are as follows:
pH: 6.0
sandy cambisol
silt: 12%
sand: 79%
clay: 9%
CEC: 10.3 cmol/kg - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal: control, 20 and 40 mg Se/kg
Measured (after 9 years): 1.5, 5.7 and 7.4 mg Se/kg (neutron activation) - Reference substance (positive control):
- no
- Key result
- Duration:
- 468 wk
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- 4.2 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (not specified)
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se (added concentration)
- Basis for effect:
- other: total microbial biomass
- Remarks on result:
- other: 5% stimulation at NOEC
- Duration:
- 468 wk
- Dose descriptor:
- other: LOEC
- Effect conc.:
- 5.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (not specified)
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se (added concentration)
- Basis for effect:
- other: total microbial biomass
- Remarks on result:
- other: 36% inhibition at LOEC
- Duration:
- 468 wk
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 5.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (not specified)
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se (added concentration)
- Basis for effect:
- other: dehydrogenase activity
- Remarks on result:
- other: 3% stimulation at largest dose tested; total concentration: ≥7.4 mg Se/kg
- Duration:
- 468 wk
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 5.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (not specified)
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se (added concentration)
- Basis for effect:
- other: ATP content
- Remarks on result:
- other: 16% stimulation at largest dose tested; total concentration: ≥7.4 mg Se/kg
- Results with reference substance (positive control):
- Not available
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- Statistical differences were evaluated using t-tests (p <0.05)
- Validity criteria fulfilled:
- not applicable
- Conclusions:
- The NOEC for effect of selenium on microbial biomass in a sandy Cambisol soil after 9 year exposure is 4.2 mg Se/kg soil (added dose).
Selenium did not inhibit the other indicators for the total microbial biomass (dehydrogenase activity and ATP content) of this soil after 9 year exposure to total soil concentrations up to 7.4 mg Se/kg soil dry weight (corresponding to an added dose of 5.9 mg Se/kg soil). - Endpoint:
- toxicity to soil microorganisms
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Effects of selenium on soil nitrogen transformations in a sandy cambisol.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Se added in form of Na salt
- Analytical monitoring:
- yes
- Details on sampling:
- - Sampling method: Four subsamples were taken from each treated plot and half of the controls.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: Samples were sieved (2 mm) and stored at -18 deg C. - Vehicle:
- no
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- AMENDMENT OF SOIL
- Type of organic substrate: The A horizon (0-25 cm) of a sandy cambisol from a field trial of the Biologische Bundesanstalt was used.
APPLICATION OF TEST SUBSTANCE TO SOIL
- In 1975, the soil was placed in concrete frames of 1x1x1 m. The underlying material was a layer of peat (about 15 cm thick).
- Selenium was added to the soil as a sodium salt and mixed with the A horizon in one to three additions. All treatments were carried out fourfold in two concentrations.
- In the following years tomatoes, potatoes, beans, rye, wheat, barley and rape seed were grown on the plot.
- Weeds were removed occasionally. The soil was dug up twice a year in spring and autumn.
- Samples for mineralisation experiments were obtained by taking four subsamples from the A horizon. - Test organisms (inoculum):
- soil
- Total exposure duration:
- 28 d
- Test temperature:
- 25°C
- Moisture:
- 3 mL H2O added to 10-g sample of field-moist soil
- Organic carbon content (% dry weight):
- 1.2
- Nitrogen content (% dry weight):
- 0.08
- Details on test conditions:
- TEST SYSTEM
- Test container (type, material, size): 100-mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 10-g samples of field-moist soil and 3 mL of deionized water
- Amount of soil: 10 g
- No. of replicates per concentration: 6
- No. of replicates per control: 6
SOIL INCUBATION
- Method: at 25°C
SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE (if soil)
- Geographical reference of sampling site (latitude, longitude): A horizon (0-25 cm) of a sandy cambisol from a field trial of the Biologische Bundesanstalt (Berlin-West)
- Vegetation cover: several vegetables were grown on the soil between addition of Se and sampling for mineralization experiments
- Depth of sampling: A horizon (0-25 cm)
- % sand: 79%
- % silt: 12%
- % clay: 9%
- Soil taxonomic classification: sandy cambisol
- pH (in water): 6.0
- Cation exchange capacity (mmol/kg): 10.3 (meq/100g)
- % organic carbon: 1.2%
- Initial microbial biomass as % of total organic C: no data
EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable): N-mineralisation and nitrification - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal: control, 20 and 40 mg Se/kg
Measured (after 9 years): 1.5, 5.7 and 7.4 mg Se/kg (neutron activation) - Key result
- Duration:
- 28 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 5.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (initial)
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se (added concentration)
- Basis for effect:
- other: N-Mineralisation
- Remarks on result:
- other: 0% inhibition at largest dose tested; total concentration: ≥7.4 mg Se/kg
- Key result
- Duration:
- 21 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- >= 5.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (initial)
- Conc. based on:
- element
- Remarks:
- Se (added concentration)
- Basis for effect:
- other: nitrification
- Remarks on result:
- other: 20% stimulation at largest dose tested, total concentration: ≥7.4 mg Se/kg
- Details on results:
- No effect at all (0%) was observed on N mineralization at the highest concentration tested.
No adverse effect at all (-20%) was observed on nitrification at the highest concentration tested. - Reported statistics and error estimates:
- Statistics: t test
- Conclusions:
- Klimisch 2 study on the effects of selenium (added as sodium salt) on N-mineralization and nitrification in A horizon of a sandy cambisol that had been spiked with selenium 9 years before. N-mineralization by native soil microorganisms was studied during 28 days, whereas nitrification was studied during 21 days. No significant adverse effects were observed on nitrogen transformations at the highest concentration tested, resulting in an unbounded NOEC of ≥5.9 mg Se/kg dw (added concentration).
Referenceopen allclose all
Description of key information
In total, 8 reliable NOEC values for chronic selenium toxicity to soil microorganisms were retrieved from 3 published study report (Wilke, 1988; Wilke, 1989 and Chander and Joergensen, 2007). All data were derived from soils amended with sodium selenium salts. These data cover effects on microbial nitrification, biomass and respiration. The reliable NOEC values range between 4.2 mg Se/kg soil dw for microbial biomass and ≥20 mg Se/kg dw for microbial respiration. All NOEC values are expressed based on added elemental Se concentrations in soil. The lowest reliable NOEC values for microbial nitrification, biomass and respiration were taken forward to the derivation of the PNEC according to the statistical extrapolation approach.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
Three studies on the toxicity of selenium compounds to soil microorganisms are judged reliable with restriction (Klimisch 2). The reliable data cover several endpoints: N-mineralisation, nitrification, biomass, respiration and ATP-content. Only one bounded NOEC value was observed (4.2 mg Se/kg soil for microbial biomass in a sandy Cambisol soil after 9 years exposure; Wilke, 1988). In addition, unbounded NOEC values are reported ranging from ≥5.9 mg Se/kg dw for the effect of selenium on nitrogen transformations 9 years after application of a sodium salt of selenium (not reported whether Na2SeO4 or Na2SeO3) to a field plot in Germany (Wilke, 1989) to ≥20 mg Se/kg for the effect of Na2SeO4 on microbial biomass, respiration or ATP content in a Haplic Luvisol (Chander and Joergensen, 2007). All results are based on nominal added or background corrected measured Se concentrations.
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