Carboxylic acids, di-, C4-6

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Department of the environment, test proposal: Letale Wirkung beim Zebrabaerbling Brachydanio rerio, (LC0, LC 50, LC100, 48-95h), Stand Mai 1984

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on test solutions:

At the beginning of the test the pH is adjusted at each concentration.

Test organisms (species):

Danio rerio (previous name: Brachydanio rerio)

Details on test organisms:

n=10

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test temperature:

20.8-21.6 °C

pH:

5.7-7.3

Dissolved oxygen:

9.3-5.1 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

100, 35.4 mg/L

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

35.4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC100

Effect conc.:

100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

59.5 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: ; geometric mean

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

conc. 100 mg/L

Time	C°	O2 (mg/L)	pH	mortality (%)	Fish with effects / fish alive
0h	21.2	8.4	4.0/6.8	---	0/10
24h	21.6	8.6	5.7	0	0/10
48h	21.2	6.0	6.6	10	9/9
72h	21.3	7.1	7.3	100	0/0
96h	---	---	---	---	---

conc. 35.4 mg/L

Time	C°	O2 (mg/L)	pH	mortality (%)	Fish with effects / fish alive
0h	20.8	9.3	4.4/6.9	---	0/10
24h	21.6	8.3	6.2	0	0/10
48h	21.5	5.1	6.7	0	0/10
72h	21.3	7.9	7.1	0	0/10
96h	21.1	8.0	7.1	0	0/10

Conclusions:

After 96 hours of exposure a LC50 of 59.5 mg/L (geometric mean) was obtained.

Executive summary:

The acute toxicity of Carboxylic acids, di-,C4-C6 to fish (Brachydanio rerio) was conducted in a static mortality test similiar to OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test). After 96 hours of exposure a LC50 of 59.5 mg/L (geometric mean) was obtained.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with national standard methods with acceptable restrictions

Principles of method if other than guideline:

DIN-Standard 38 412 (Deutsche Einheitsverfahren zur Wasser-, Abwasser- und Schlammuntersuchung - Testverfahren mit Wasserorganismen (Gruppe L)) - Bestimmung der Wirkung von Wasserinhaltstoffen auf Fische, Fischtest (L 15), Entwurf 1979

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Details on test solutions:

At the beginning of the test, the test solutions are clear at every concentration. At the end of the test the solutions became more opalescent with increasing concentration .

Test organisms (species):

Leuciscus idus

Details on test organisms:

- source: Firm P. Eggers, Hohenwestedt, West Germany
- No medical treatment during the last four weeks of keeping.
- Acclimation period (keeping water to test water) : 3 days

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Hardness:

total hardness: 2.6 mmol/L

Test temperature:

20°C (+-1°C)

pH:

8+-0.1

Dissolved oxygen:

> 8 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal concentrations were tested (68.1, 100, 147, 215, 316, 464 and 681mg/L). 

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

chloroacetamide

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

147 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

> 147 - < 215 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Results with reference substance (positive control):

LC50 (48h) ca. 25 mg/L (correspond to the normal sensitiveness)

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

table 1: mortality

Conc.		mortality
mg/L	n fish (0h)	1 h	4 h	24 h	48 h	72 h	96 h
68.1	10	0	0	0	0	0	0
100	10	0	0	0	0	0	0
147	10	0	0	0	0	0	0
215	10	0	0 *	1	4	8	8
316	10	0	0 *	9 **	10	10	10
464	10	0	10	10	10	10	10
681	10	1	10	10	10	10	10
Control	10	0	0	0	0	0	0

*= the animals showed the following symptoms: gasping for air, abnormal swimming action

**= the animals showed the following symptoms: abnormal swimming action

table 2: pH values

conc.	pH values
mg/L	0 h	24 h	48 h	72 h	96 h
68.1	6.4	5.8	6.7	7.2	7.4
100	6.1	5.1	5.2	5.6	6.2
147	5.9	4.7	4.7	5.2	5.7
215	5.8	4.4	4.3	4.6	5.4
316	5.7	4.1	4.1	---	---
464	5.5	3.8	---	---	---
681	5.5	3.8	---	---	---
Control	7.8	7.9	8.0	8.0	7.9

table 3: oxygen values

conc.	oxygen values
mg/L	0 h	24 h	48 h	72 h	96 h
68.1	8.6	8.7	8.7	8.9	7.1
100	7.5	8.0	7.2	6.8	5.5
147	7.4	7.5	6.8	3.6	7.1
215	7.7	7.6	7.6	1.1	6.0
316	7.9	8.4	8.9	---	---
464	8.6	8.9	---	---	---
681	8.8	9.0	---	---	---
Control	8.9	8.8	8.9	9.0	8.9

Additionally, a test at a concentration of 681 mg/l in neutralised test solution (10% NaoH) was carried out. Exposure duration was not reported. No effects were observed.

Conclusions:

After 96 hours of exposure an LC50 >147 <215 mg/L (nominal) was obtained.

Executive summary:

The acute toxicity of Carboxylic acids, di-,C4-C6 to fish (Leucisus idus) was conducted in a static mortality test according to national standard method (DIN-Standard 38 412). After 96 hours of exposure an LC50 >147 <215 mg/L (nominal) was obtained.

Description of key information

The acute toxicity of Carboxylic acids, di-,C4-C6 to fish (Brachydanio rerio) was conducted in a static mortality test similiar to OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test). After 96 hours of exposure a LC50 of 59.5 mg/L (geometric mean) was obtained (Bayer, 1988).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect concentration:

59.5 mg/L

Additional information

There are two tests on toxicity to fish available.

The dicarboxylic acids are of weak to medium acidity and partly dissociate in water causing a pH shift (pKa1: 4.21-4.43; pKa2: 5.42-5.64). The tolerance of water organisms towards pH is diverse. Recommended pH values for test species listed in OECD guidelines are between 6 and 9.

In an acute test performed with Leuciscus idus according to the German national standard method DIN 38412 Part 15 a 96 h-LC50 of > 147 mg/l for the mixture with following composition: 24-28% adipic acid, 40-45% glutaric acid, 28-33% succinic acid was obtained (BASF, 1980). At test concentrations above 220 mg/l used in the aquatic toxicity test the pH shifts to <6. At 147 mg/L no effect was observed. At higher concentrations some mortalities occurred, along with reduced pH (below pH 4.5). As effect of pH allone at higher concentrations is unclear, as a precautionary approach the LC50 was assumed to be > 147 mg/L. This assumption is confirmed by a test carried out in neutralised test solution at a concentration of 686 mg/L where no effects were observed.

The acute toxicity of Carboxylic acids, di-,C4-C6 to fish (Brachydanio rerio) was conducted in a static mortality test similiar to OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test). After 96 hours of exposure a LC50 of 59.5 mg/L (geometric mean) was obtained in buffered medium (Bayer, 1988). The test substance was a residue from adipic acid manufacturing containing the following composition: 60 % adipic acid, 14 % glutaric acid, 6 % succinic acid, 10 % carbon, 6.5 % vanadium pentoxide, 3 % copper nitrate and 5 % copper.