Dibismuth trioxide

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Significant methodological deficiencies (confounding effect of HCl on response; feeding during test)

Justification for type of information:

Please see read-across justification attached below.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

One week exposure of amphipod Hyalella azteca to bismuth in freshwater.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

other aquatic worm: Tubifex tubifex

Details on test organisms:

Hyalella used for toxicity tests originated from Valens Conser vation Area (ON, Canada), in 1985 and were cultured in dechlorinated Burlington City tap (Lake Ontario, Canada) water. Culturing was conducted in an incubator at 24 to 25°C under a 16:8-h light:dark photoperiod. Culture water was renewed and young separated from adults weekly on Mondays; making the initial age of the test animals 1 to 11 d at the start of the test

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

7 d

Hardness:

Diluted tap water: 18 mg/L
Dechlorinated tap water: 124 mg/L

Test temperature:

24-25 °C

pH:

Diluted tap water: 7.37-8.27
Dechlorinated tap water: 8.39-8.46

Dissolved oxygen:

7-10 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal concentrations based on 10, 32, 100 logarithmic series.

Details on test conditions:

Tests were static, nonrenewal, one-week exposures conducted in 400 ml of test water in 500-ml polyethylene cups (snap-top specimen containers). Relatively large test volumes were used in order to reduce the surface area:volume ratio and decrease potential adsorption, and also to reduce pipetting variability from handling small volumes of stock solutions. Two sets of experiments were run, one in tap (Lake Ontario) water, and another in soft water consisting of 10% tap water and 90% Milli-Q deionized water (soft water measured hardness 18 mg/L, carbonate alkalinity 14 mg/L, Ca 5.6 mg/L, Mg 0.90 mg/L, Na 1.4 mg/L, K 0.15 mg/L, SO4 3.4 mg/L, Cl 2.5 mg/L, and DOC 0.28 mg/L.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

7 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

0.722 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Bi

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 0.315-1.000. For diluted tap water

Duration:

7 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

0.025 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Bi

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 0.010-0.036. For diluted tap water

Duration:

7 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

2.543 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Bi

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95%CL: 1.720-3.758 For dechlorinated tap water

Details on results:

24h LC50 mortality: 14.79 mg Bi/L with 95% CL 13.11-17.20
48h LC50 mortality: 14.79 mg Bi/L with 95% CL 13.11-17.20

Reported statistics and error estimates:

not reported.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

Study with significant methodological deficiencies (Bi added as AAS standard solution in 2% HCl); study is disregarded.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: ISO 6341 method, but insufficiently documented of test conditions (temperature, O2-values, number of replicates, preparation of water accommodated fraction,…)

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

ISO 6341 (Water quality - Determination of the Inhibition of the Mobility of Daphnia magna Straus (Cladocera, Crustacea))

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

water accommodated fraction (WAF)

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

Strain: STRAUSS

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal total concentrations: 0-0.35-0.70-1.40 mg test Bi2O3/L. Not clear if these are total or dissolved concentrations.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

potassium dichromate

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1.26 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Bi

Basis for effect:

mobility

Details on results:

1.4 mg Bi2O3/L is the maximum concetration that can be dissolved (corresponds to 1.26 mg Bi/L).
pH values, oxygen concentration and inhibtion concentration of potassium dichromate are valid for this test (no numerical data given).

Validity criteria fulfilled:

no

Conclusions:

ISO 6341 method, but insufficiently documented of test conditions (temperature, O2-values, number of replicates, preparation of WAF,…); study is disregarded.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Only nominal concentrations reported without information on solubility of the test substance; test animals collected from natural sources (no laboratory culture)

Justification for type of information:

Please see read-across justification attached below.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Study on the acute toxicity of Bismuth on freshwater tubificid worms.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Stock solutions were prepared in distilled water from the metal salt.

Test organisms (species):

other aquatic worm: Tubifex tubifex

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Hardness:

230-250 mg/L as CaCO3

Test temperature:

29.5-31 °C

pH:

7.5-7.7

Dissolved oxygen:

5.2-6.0 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal concentrations based on the results of preliminary acute static bioassays. Test concentrations were selected on a logarithmic scale as outlined in standard methods.

Details on test conditions:

Tests were conducted in 200 mL beakers containing 100 mL of test water. The water was renewed every 24h. Ten worms were exposed to each concentration, and each concentration was tested in replicates of three. Test worms were cosidered dead when there was complete immobilization and no respons to pressing with a blunt glass rod.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

0.662 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Bi

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 0.535-0.793

Details on results:

24h LC50 mortality: 14.79 mg Bi/L with 95% CL 13.11-17.20
48h LC50 mortality: 14.79 mg Bi/L with 95% CL 13.11-17.20

Reported statistics and error estimates:

not reported.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

Only nominal concentrations and no information on solubility of the test substance; test animals collected from natural sources (no laboratory culture); study is disregarded for read-across to other Bi substances.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

13/12/1994 - 15/12/1994

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: According to international guideline (OECD 202) and GLP compliant. Rated as Klimisch 2 because it is a read across study.

Justification for type of information:

Please see read-across justification attached below.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 202 (Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test)

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.2 (Acute Toxicity for Daphnia)

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

0.01 g Bi powder is weighed directly in each of three 150 mL Erlenmeyers. 100 mL dillution water is added. The powder could not be dissolved. One Elenmeyer is used for determination of the initial Bi concentration.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

Strain: STRAUS. LISEC laboratory culture. Less than 24 hours old at the start of the test.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Hardness:

200 mg/L

pH:

8.10-8.17

Dissolved oxygen:

>7.7 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Total nominal added concentration is 100 mg Bi/L; measured dissolved concentration is <0.05 mg Bi/L.

Details on test conditions:

Ten Daphnids are introduced into two 150 mL Erlenmeyers containing 100 mL of test water and concentrations of test solution; and into two Erlenmeyers with only dillution water. Daphnids are not fed during the test. Two replicates per test concentration.
Sampling of Daphnids is performed by pouring the test solution (including the settled fraction) through a filter. The filtrate is analysed to determine the concentration of dissolved Bi and the filter is analysed to determine the sum of the dispersed and the settled fractions. Samples are stored at room temperature.
A daily photoperiod of 14h is used. Uniform illumination is provided by Phillips TL-33 lamps yielding approx. 100 lux at the surface of the test solutions.

Reconstituted water is used as test water. The chemical composition of this medium is:
-NaHCO3: 100 mg/L
-KHCO3: 20 mg/L
-CaCl2.2H2O: 200 mg/L
-MgSO4.7H2O: 180 mg/L

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Bi

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: based on total added concentration

Details on results:

The 48h-EC50 for immobility of Daphnids based on the measured dissolved bismuth concentration is < 0.05 mg Bi/L. Zero percent immobilisation was recorded at this concentration.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

no information on statistics is given.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

Study is performed according to international guideline (OECD 202) and GLP compliant. A 48h-EC50 value for immobilisation of Daphnids of > 100 mg Bi/L is obtained, based on a total nominal added concentration. The measured dissolved Bi concentration in the test medium at the 100 mg/L dose is below detection limi (<0.05 mg Bi/L).

Reference 5

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

26 April 2010 - 27 July 2010

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: GLP test according to OECD guidelines. Rated as Klimisch 2 because it is a read-across study.

Justification for type of information:

Please see read-across justification attached below.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 202 (Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
- Melting point: > 500 degrees C
- Vapour pressure: 3.4 x 10-5 Pa at 20 degrees C
- Water solubility (under test conditions): 900.7 mg/L at 20 degrees C

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Samples from control and the test item concentration were taken at the start end the end of the exposure period and analysed to determine the actual test item concentrations in comparison to the nominally applied concentrations.
Before analysis, the samples were stored in a refrigerator in polyethylene bottles.

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

A stock solution was prepared by dissolving 205.6 mg of the test item (corresponds to 150 mg Bi at 73% Bismuth content) in 1500 mL of Medium M4 (nominal concentration 100 mg Bi/L). After agitation at 100 rpm on a horizontal laboratory shaker at ambient temperature in the dark for seven days,the stock solution was filtered through a glass fibre filter (pore size: 0.6 µm). The filtrate was used as the limit test item concentration. The filtrate of the stock solution was used as the limit test item concentration. Medium M4 was used as control for the test. The volume of stock solution was large enough to prepare the test concentration level and all analytical samples. The test solutions were filled into the test vessels and were placed into a temperature-controlled room for temperature adaptation.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

Strain: STRAUS/clone 5
Breeder: ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH since October 11, 2000
Medium: Medium M4
renewal of medium: 2 times per week
Age at start of test: less than 24 h
Temperature: 20 ± 2°C
Feed:TetraMin, Algae (Desmodesmus subspicatus), instant baker's yeast suspension
feeding frequency: 3 times per week

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Hardness:

250 mg CaCO3/l

Test temperature:

20.3-20.5 °C

pH:

7.7-7.9

Dissolved oxygen:

8.0-8.7 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal added concentration: control and 100% of water-accomodated fraction (100 mg Bi/L). Measured Bi concentrations were in all samples below detection limit (0.0375 mg Bi/L).

Details on test conditions:

Glass beakers (300 mL; height: 5.5 cm; diameter: 9 cm) covered by glass lids were used as test vessels. 150-170 mL test solution per vessel.
After temperature adaptation of the test solutions the daphnids were transferred into the test solutions by using an upside-down glass pipette. No feeding during the test. No aerationof test vessels.
16 hours light / 8 hours darkness. Light intensity: 419 to 565 lux
Number of replicates per test concentration: 6. 5 animals per vessel.
Effect parameter: immobility. Those animals not able to swim within 15 seconds after gentle agitation of the test vessel were considered to be immobile. Observations were made at 24 and 48h after the start of the study.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

potassium dichromate

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 137 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Details on results:

No immobilisation or behavioural abnormalities were observed in the control and the water-accommodated fraction at a loading rate of 100 mg Bismuth/L (137 mg test item/L).
The measured (dissolved) concentrations of Bismuth were below the limit of detection (LOD: 0.0375 mg Bi/L; 0.051 mg test item/L) in all samples.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

The reference test with potassium dichromate performed in may 2010 resulted in an 24h-EC50 of 0.66 mg/L. According to the OECD guideline 24h-EC50 guideline values should range between 0.6 and 2.1 mg/L. The toxicity of the reference item is within this range.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

No statistical method was used to evaluate the daphnid immobilities because no immobilities were observed during the test period in the control or the test item treatment.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

GLP test according to OECD guidelines. No effect was observed in a limit test with the water-accommodated fraction at a loading of 137 mg/L test item (100 mg Bi/L) and therefore the 48h-EC50 for immobilization of Daphnids is > 137 mg/L test item (>100 mg Bi/L).

Executive summary:

This was a GLP test according to OECD guidelines using a related substance, bismuth subnitrate. No effect was observed in a limit test with the water-accommodated fraction at a loading of 137 mg/L test item (100 mg Bi/L) and therefore the 48h-EC50 for immobilization of Daphnids is > 137 mg/L test item (>100 mg Bi/L).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

100 mg/L

Additional information

Two reliable GLP-conform studies according to the OECD 202 guideline are available for the acute toxicity of Bi subnitrate and Bi metal to Daphnia magna. Egeler et al. (2010) studied the effect of the water accommodated fraction of bismuth subnitrate (Bi₅O(OH)₉(NO₃)₄) after seven days equilibration on the immobility of Daphnia magna. A limit test did not show any immobilisation or behavioural abnormalities in the control and the water-accommodated fraction at a loading rate of 100 mg Bismuth/L (137 mg test item/L). The EC50 (48 h) was therefore determined to be higher than 100 mg Bi/L. The measured dissolved Bi concentration was in all treatments below the limit of detection (0.0375 mg Bi/L). In a second limit test, also no effect of Bi metal was found on mobility of Daphnia magna (Neven, 1995) at 100 mg Bi/L (measured dissolved concentration is concentration is <0.05 mg Bi/L).

No data are available for the short-term toxicity of bismuth to marine invertebrates.