Triethoxyoctylsilane

Toxicity to microorganisms

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

activated sludge respiration inhibition testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

09 February 2012 - 09 February 2012

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.11 (Biodegradation: Activated Sludge Respiration Inhibition Test)

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

ISO 8192 (Water quality - Test for inhibition of oxygen consumption by activated sludge for carbonaceous and ammonium oxidation)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

The batch of triethoxy(octyl)silane tested was a clear yellow liquid with a purity >93%. The test substance was not completely soluble in test medium at the loading rates initially prepared. Therefore, 1 litre test bottles were filled with 200 ml of test substance mixtures in Milli-RO water (tap water purified by reverse osmosis) with initial loading rates of 2.5 times the final loading rate. These mixtures were stirred in closed dark brown bottles for approximately 24 hours. As a result, because hydrolysis half-life is predicted to be 22 hours at 25°C, it is likely that what was tested was a combination of parent and hydrolysis products (information obtained from the sponsor, after performance of the test). Subsequently, 16 ml synthetic medium, 250 ml sludge and Milli-RO water up to 500 ml were added resulting in the required loading rates. Optimal contact between the test substance and test organisms was ensured applying continuous aeration and stirring.

Test organisms (species):

activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage

Details on inoculum:

The sludge was coarsely sieved, washed and diluted with ISO-medium. A small amount of the sludge was weighed and dried overnight at ca. 105°C to determine the amount of suspended solids (3.0 g/l of sludge, as used for the test). The pH was 7.4 on the day of testing. The batch of sludge was used one day after collection; therefore 50 ml of synthetic medium was added per litre of activated sludge at the end of the collection day. The sludge was kept aerated at test temperature until use.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

3 h

Post exposure observation period:

After the 3-hour contact time, the oxygen consumption was recorded for a period of approximately 10 minutes. During measurement, the sample was not aerated but continuously stirred on a magnetic stirrer. The pH and temperature were determined in the remaining part of the reaction mixture.

Test temperature:

Between 18.1 and 19.8°C

pH:

Before addition of sludge: 7.6 - 7.7.
After the 3 hour exposure period: 7.5 - 8.3.

Dissolved oxygen:

The oxygen concentration at the start of measurements was at least 7.5 mg O2/l.

Controls: 48 mg O2/l h
Triethoxy(octyl)silane 10 mg/l: 48 mg O2/l h
Triethoxy(octyl)silane 100 mg/l: 42 mg O2/l h
Triethoxy(octyl)silane 1000 mg/l: 47 mg O2/l h (mean value)

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal loading rates: 10, 100 and 1000 mg/l

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Type: open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: All glass
- Aeration:During exposure with clean, oil-free air
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1 for 10 and 100 mg/l and 3 for 1000 mg/l
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 2
- Biomass loading rate: 1.5 g/l suspended solids in final test mixture

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Tap-water purified by reverse osmosis (Milli-RO
EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : The respiration rate from each vessel, in mg O2/l/hr, was calculated from the linear part of the respiration curve, which was generally between 2 and 7 mg O2/l.

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Test concentrations: combined /limit range-finding test at 10, 100 and 1000 mg/l (loading rates)

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

3,5-dichlorophenol

Key result

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

>= 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

(loading rate)

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Key result

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

(loading rate)

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Details on results:

In the combined limit/range-finding test no statistically significant inhibition of the respiration rate of the sludge was recorded at a loading rate of 1000 mg triethoxy(octyl)silane per litre (Two Sample t-Test : α=0.05 Toxstat).

There was no significant oxygen uptake from abiotic processes and the results at 1000 mg/l with a nitrification inhibitor showed no heterotrophic inhibition of the respiration rate.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

The EC50 of 3,5-dichlorophenol was in the accepted range of 2 to 25 mg/l for total respiration (4.0 mg/l).

Reported statistics and error estimates:

ECx
For the reference substance the percentage inhibition was plotted against the logarithm of the concentrations and the EC50 was determined using linear regression analysis.

For triethoxy(octyl)silane no EC50 could be calculated because the test substance proved to be non-toxic (EC50 > a loading rate of 1000 mg/l).

NOEC estimation
The NOEC was based on statistical analysis of the data. Data obtained for the test concentrations were compared with those obtained for the control using TOXSTAT Release 3.5, 1996, D.D. Gulley, A.M. Boelter, H.L. Bergman.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

Under the conditions of this present test, triethoxy(octyl)silane was not toxic to wastewater (activated sludge) bacteria up to and including a loading rate of >=1000 mg/l (NOEC).

The EC50 exceeded a loading rate of 1000 mg/l.

Description of key information

Toxicity to microorganisms: ASRI 3-hour EC50 >1000 mg/l; NOEC >=1000 mg/l (OECD 209).

Additional information

An activated sludge respiration inhibition 3-hour NOEC (total respiration) of ≥1000 mg/l and EC₅₀ (total respiration) value of >1000 mg/l were determined for the substance in a reliable study conducted according to an appropriate test protocol, and in compliance with GLP. The result is considered to be reliable.

Under the conditions of this present test, triethoxy(octyl)silane was not toxic to wastewater (activated sludge) bacteria up to and including a loading rate of 1000 mg/l (NOEC).

The EC₅₀ exceeded a loading rate of 1000 mg/l.