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Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Bioaccumulation: aquatic / sediment

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Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

Following the read-across strategy, it is considered appropriate to cover this endpoint by a key study performed with zirconium dichloride oxide. This study (Garnham et al., 1993) was assigned a Klimisch score of 2 (reliable with restrictions). Bioconcentration factors were measured in cyanobacteria and microalgae and observed to be low. A key BCF value of 0.064 L/kg ww was selected as a worst case key value.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

BCF (aquatic species):
0.064 L/kg ww

Additional information

The accumulation of zirconium by cyanobacteria and microalgae was characterized by Garnham et al. (1993). In this study the organisms were exposed to solutions of zirconium dichloride oxide. Actual exposure however was rather to zirconium dioxide, since zirconium dichloride oxide hydrolyses rapidly in aqueous solutions at environmentally relevant pH, resulting in the precipitation of zirconium as zirconium dioxide or hydroxide. In all cyanobacterial and microalgal species examined, accumulation consisted of a single rapid energy-independent phase ("biosorption"). No energy-dependent accumulation was observed. Biosorption of zirconium was concentration-dependent, followed a Freundlich adsorption isotherm, and was dependent on pH, showing decreasing accumulation with decreasing pH. Zirconium desorption from micro-algae and cyanobacteria was increased by increasing external cation concentrations or by decreasing the pH of the desorption agent. Overall, biosorption/bioaccumulation was very limited. BCF values between 0.0525 and 0.64 L/kg dw were obtained. Assuming 90% water content in the organisms, the highest value can be recalculated to a BCF of 0.064 L/kg ww. This highest value can be considered as key value.