Trichloroethylene

Bioaccumulation: aquatic / sediment

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

bioaccumulation in aquatic species: fish

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance has a low potential for bioaccumulation based on log Kow <=3

Reference 2

Endpoint:

bioaccumulation in aquatic species: fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Non-GLP, near guideline study, published in peer reviewed literature

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (a freshwater fish) was exposed to 8.23 μg/l trichloroethylene for 14 days at 16°C in a closed, flow-through system. The concentration of trichloroethylene (as 14C-label) was monitored to steady state in water and fish.

GLP compliance:

no

Radiolabelling:

yes

Details on sampling:

During the test water and fish sampled were collected on day 0,1,2,4,7,10 and 14 and analysed for 14C-residues. At each sampling interval triplicate water samples of 5 ml were taken and 5 fish were removed from the aquaria.

Vehicle:

no

Details on preparation of test solutions, spiked fish food or sediment:

See details on analytical methods

Test organisms (species):

Lepomis macrochirus

Details on test organisms:

Four populations of bluegill sunfish were used. Three of these population were obtained from a commercial fish farmer in Conneticut and the mean wet weight ranging from 0.37 (± 0.18) to 0.94 (±0.34) g and mean standard lengths ranging from 25 (±3) to 32 (± 4) mm, respectively. The fourth population was obtained from a commercial fish farmer in Nebraska and had a mean wet weight of 0.95 (±0.36) g and a mean standard length of 35 (± 4) mm.
All fish were maintained for a minimum of 30 days prior to use in the laboratory.

Route of exposure:

aqueous

Test type:

flow-through

Water / sediment media type:

natural water: freshwater

Total exposure / uptake duration:

14 d

Total depuration duration:

1 d

Hardness:

Not specified

Test temperature:

16 ± 1 C

pH:

6.3 to 7.9

Dissolved oxygen:

5.9 to 8.6 mg/l (57 to 89% saturation)

TOC:

Not specified

Salinity:

Not applicable

Details on test conditions:

Studies were conducted using a continual-flow dilutor proportional dilution apparatus. A diluent well water (pH of 7.1, total hardness of 35 mg/l as CaCO3 and a DO of >60%) was used. The systems were closed and were equipped with a sealed lid and a water trap at both influent and effluent streams. The system comprised of 14 glass aquaria, each measuring 40x20x25 cm (lxwxh) and had a water depth of 19 cm (25 liters). The systems was tied and calibrated to deliver 500 ml well water to each aquarium at a cycle rate of 196 (± 20) times a day, equivalent to 6-7 aquarium volumes a day.
At the start of the test, 100 fish were placed into each aquarium.

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Measured concentration: 8.23 ± 0.42 μg/l

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Details on estimation of bioconcentration:

A steady-state BCF was calculated as the quotient of the mean chemical concentration in fish tissues during equilibrium divided by the mean measured chemical concentration in water during the entire exposure period.

Key result

Type:

BCF

Value:

17

Basis:

whole body w.w.

Calculation basis:

steady state

Remarks on result:

other: Conc.in environment / dose:8.23

Key result

Elimination:

yes

Parameter:

DT50

Depuration time (DT):

1 d

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (a freshwater fish) was exposed to 8.23 μg/l trichloroethylene for 14 days at 16°C in a closed, flow-through system. The concentration of trichloroethylene (as 14C-label) was monitored to steady state in water and fish. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) was 17 and the half-life in tissue was less than 1 day.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

bioaccumulation in aquatic species: fish

Type of information:

other: statement

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Published in peer reviewed literature, notable limitations in design and/or reporting, but adequate for assessment

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method not mentioned

Test organisms (species):

Leuciscus idus melanotus

Key result

Type:

BCF

Value:

90 dimensionless

The bioconcentration factor in was measured in freshwater fish, Golden Orfe Leuciscus idus melanotus, when exposed to 50mg/l ¹⁴C-labelled trichloroethylene for 3 days in a closed, static test. The bioaccumulation factor was 90. The bioaccumulation factor in activated sludge was measured to be 990.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

bioaccumulation in aquatic species: fish

Type of information:

other: statement

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Published in peer reviewed literature, notable limitations in design and/or reporting, but adequate for assessment

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method not mentioned

Test organisms (species):

Danio rerio (previous name: Brachydanio rerio)

Key result

Type:

BCF

Value:

19 dimensionless

The bioaccumulation of tetrachloroethylene was measured in Zebra fish Brachydanio rerio in a semi-static test and found the average bioconcentration factor to be 19.

Description of key information

From a formal point of view, a study on bioaccumulation does not need to be conducted for TCE, because the substance has a low potential for bioaccumulation based on a log kow of 2.53, which is clearly below the threshold of 3.

However, available data were assessed within a weight of evidence approach.

This information clearly supports that bioaccumulation does not appear to occur to a significant extent. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

BCF (aquatic species):

17 dimensionless

Additional information

Several studies measured the whole-body bioaccumulation factors measured for fish; the values ranged from 17 to 90.

Studies with algae were also available.

According to information from EU risk assessment for TCE the bioconcentration factor predicted from Kow using the equation in the TGD is 17.6.

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (a freshwater fish) was exposed to 8.23 μg/l trichloroethylene for 14 days at 16°C in a closed, flow-through system. The concentration of trichloroethylene (as 14C-label) was monitored to steady state in water and fish. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) was 17 and the half-life in tissue was less than 1 day. (Barrows et al. 1980)

Korte and Freitag (1984) measured the bioaccumulation of tetrachloroethylene in Zebra fish Brachydanio rerio in a semi-static test and found the average bioconcentration factor to be 19.

The bioconcentration factor in freshwater fish, Golden Orfe Leuciscus idus melanotus was measured to be 90 by Freitag et al. (1985).

The calculated value and the measured data (Korte and Freitag) and Barrows et al. are in good agreement.

Based on a weight of evidence approach, the BCF of 17 obtained from the flow through study with concentration monitoring, which is highly similar to OECD guideline 305 (Barrows, 1980) is taken for assessment.