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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in soil

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Description of key information

Key value is set to default value of 180 days in line with remark 2 to Table 7.11-2 TGD IR/CSA R.7c

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Half-life in soil:
180 d
at the temperature of:
20 °C

Additional information

Breedveld et al. examined the aerobic and anaerobic degradation of Benzotriazole in the terrestrial compartment. Therefore, series of batch reactors were inocculated with microorganisms from the area of the abandoned airport Gardermoen, Norway and airport Fornebu, Norway. Benzotriazole (1 mg/L) as substrate as well as other substances for achieving necessary oxygen consumption (benzoate or glycol) were added. As control (aerobic conditions) CuSO4 was used. After five month period no degradation of the test substance was observed under anaerobic conditions. In parallel series under aerobic conditions degradation of Benzotriazole in liquid phase was observed. Since similar loss has been observed in the control evaporation is assumed to be the major process responsible.


In addition, available information on inhibition of nitrification in topsoil samples indicate the strong inhibitory potential of Benzotriazole. In observations with 45 heterocyclic N compounds in three different soils significant inhibition of nitrification (35, 55, and 81 %) at 12 µg Benzotriazole /g soil was found (McCarty et al.).


In summary, based on the existing information it can be concluded that Benzotriazole and its conjugated sodium salt are stable with regard to biodegradation in soils under environmental conditions. Available information is considered to be adequate for regulatory purposes. Biodegradation in soil is expected to show a lower rate of degradation in general. As Benzotriazole shows a low biodegradation behaviour in the aquatic environment the same result is expected for test in soil. Hence, the substance is classified for long-term hazards in the environment. For the PBT assessment the default half-life for non-readily biodegradable substances is used (DT50 > 180 days) while for the chemical safety assessment the substances are considered as non-biodegradable in soil under environmental conditions.



Breedveld GD et al. (2002) Triazoles in the terrestrial environment – Final report, NGI report no. 20001103-1,http://www.statsbygg.no/FilSystem/files/prosjekter/fouprosj/miljo/50192_BTfinalreport.pdf


McCarty GW, Bremmer JM (1989) Inhibition of nitrification in soil by heterocyclic nitrogen compounds, Biol Fertil Soils, 8:204-211.