Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference
Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1983
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
data from handbook or collection of data
Qualifier:
no guideline available
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Biodegradation of urea by psychrophilic bacteria in an aqueous test system.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Oxygen conditions:
not specified
Inoculum or test system:
other: Psychrophilic bacteria
Duration of test (contact time):
1 h
Preliminary study:
No preliminary study
Test performance:
No information
Key result
Parameter:
other: The maximum degradation rate per hour at 20 ⁰C (mg/L)
Value:
>= 10.9 - <= 11.6
Sampling time:
1 h
Details on results:
The maximum degradation rate per hour at 20°C was 11.6 mg/L
The average degradation rate per hour at 20 ⁰C was 10.9 mg/L
The maximum degradation rate per hour at 2 ⁰C was 4.0 mg/L
The average degradation rate per hour at 2 ⁰C was 3.2 mg/L.
Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Interpretation of results:
readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
Rapid biodegradation of urea was seen under the conditions of this study.
Executive summary:

The degradation of urea was investigated in psychrophilic bacteria in an aqueous test system. The maximum degradation rate per hour at 20 ⁰C was 11.6 mg/L. The average degradation rate per hour at 20 ⁰C was 10.9 mg/L. The maximum degradation rate per hour at 2 ⁰C was 4.0 mg/L. The average degradation rate per hour at 2 ⁰C was 3.2 mg/L.

Description of key information

Urea sulphate is considered not to be biodegradable. Urea sulphate is dissolved and dissociated in aqueous solution into protonated urea and sulphate. Urea is a readily biodegradable substance (see Verschueren study) and sulphate is an inorganic anion and therefore cannnot undergo biodegradation. For environment exposure a readily biodegradable is considered.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
readily biodegradable

Additional information