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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Description of key information

The substance n-butylchloride was described as inherently biodegradable, with poor anaerobic biodegradation.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
inherently biodegradable

Additional information

One study and several publications were available to estimate the ready biodegradability of 1-chlorobutane.

In the key study, the oxygen consumption of 73.2 mg/L 1-chlorobutane (equivalent to a ThOD of 9.65 per L) was tested in a BODIS test according to the draft of an ISO-Guideline (now ISO DIS 10708). After 28 days, 47.2% of the test substance was found biodegraded (Study director, 1997).

Inherent or partial biodegradation were also supported by four further publications (Hanson & Brusseau 1994, Visscher & Brinkman 1989, Gerhold & Malaney 1966 and Malaney & Gerhold 1962).

Hongwei et al. (2004) tested the anaerobic biodegradability of n-butylchloride according to EPA OTS 796.3140 and found poor anaerobic biodegradation.

Further studies showed that only certain microorganisms that occur naturally to 1 -5% in activated sludges can biodegrade 1-chlorobutane effectively (e.g. Alcaligenes faecalis, Ancylobacter aquaticus, Xanthobacter sp.).