Calcium diformate

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:

other information

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Only short abstract available; esposure period too short (48 h instead of 96 h according to recent OECD 203)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Determination of acute effects of substances on fish (Bestimmung der akuten Wirkung von Stoffen auf Fische; Arbeitskreis "Fischtest" im Hauptausschuss "Detergentien"; 15.10.73)

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Leuciscus idus

Test type:

static

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

>= 1 000 mg/L

Reference 2

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

other information

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Only short abstract available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Proposal of German UBA: "Lethal effects on zebra fish Brachydabio rerio"

Test organisms (species):

Danio rerio (previous name: Brachydanio rerio)

Test type:

static

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

>= 1 000 mg/L

Reference 3

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Study performed from Feb. 18, 1988 to Feb. 22, 1988

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study according to national standard method; no analytical monitoring; non-GLP

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Draft guideline "Lethal effects towards zebrafish Brachydanio rerio (LC0, LC50, LC100; 48-96 h) of the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) (May 1984)

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

Danio rerio (previous name: Brachydanio rerio)

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: zebrafish
- Source: no data
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 2 to 4 cm
- Feeding during test: none

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Hardness:

approx. 15 °dH (German water hardness)

Test temperature:

19.9 to 21.6 °C

pH:

6.2 to 6.8

Dissolved oxygen:

8.1 to 9.1 mg/L (94.1 to  103.5% of the maximum saturation level)

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0(control), 12.5, 100, and 1000 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: 300x135x200 mm, fill volume: 5 L
- Aeration:
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 1

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: dechlorinated tap water
- Ca/mg ratio: 4:1
- Acid capacity: Ks 4.3: 0.1±0.02 mmol/L
- pH: 6.3 to 6.8
- Culture medium different from test medium: no

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: no
- Photoperiod:
- Light intensity: no data

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- observations: mortality after 2, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h
- measurements: temperature, oxygen content, and pH after 0, 24, 48, 72,  and 96 h

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations:
- Justification for using less concentrations than requested by guideline:
- Range finding study
- Test concentrations:
- Results used to determine the conditions for the definitive study:

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

>= 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

No mortality was observed in any concentration at any time point during  the exposure period. 

In the 1000 mg/L concentration, one fish was  observed to exhibit sluggish swimming behavior after 48 hours and  thereafter.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

experimental phase: 19 to 23 Nov 1991.

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

Guideline study under GLP conditions, but test item concentrations not verified analytically

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, U.K.

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: direct dispersion in water

Test organisms (species):

other: Scophthalmus maximus (turbot)

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: turbot
- Source: Golden Sea Produce Ltd., Hunterston, Scotland, Great Britain
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD): juvenile
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 3.3 cm (SD = 0.3 cm)
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): 0.73 g (SD = 0.15 g)
- Feeding during test: no feeding during test


ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: Stock held since 07 Nov 1991 and acclimatised to test conditions from 07 Nov 1991.
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): yes
- Type and amount of food: commercial pellets
- Feeding frequency: daily, discontinued 24 h prior to test
- Health during acclimation (any mortality observed): 0% in 4 d prior to study

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

saltwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test temperature:

14 °C

pH:

8.3

Dissolved oxygen:

8.0 to 8.2 mg/L

Salinity:

32 ‰

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0 (control), 320, 560, 1000, 1800 and 3200 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: glass aquaria holding 20 L of test media
- Aeration: via narrow bore glass tubes
- Type of flow-through (e.g. peristaltic or proportional diluter): daily renewal
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate):
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 1
- Biomass loading rate: 0.37 g bodyweight/L


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: synthetic sea water (Synthetica (R)) at 32 ‰ and aerated for at least 12 h prior to use
- Culture medium different from test medium: no


OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light : 8 h dark


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- observations: mortality and symptoms of distress after 3, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h
- measurements: pH, temperature, and oxygen content at test start and after 24, 48, 72, and 96

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: ca. 1.8

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

1 720 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 1675 to 1765 mg/L

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC100

Effect conc.:

3 200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

Mortality

Concentration (mg/L)	Cumulative mortality (n)
	3h	6h	24h	48h	72h	96h
Control	0	0	0	0	0	0
320	0	0	0	0	0	0
560	0	0	0	0	0	0
1000	0	0	0	0	0	0
1800	0	0	0	0	1	9
3200	0	0	10	10	10	10

 

Abnormalities

After 96 h, 1 fish each was moribund in the 1800 mg/L concentration.At all other test concentrations and time intervals no abnormalities were detected.

Conclusions:

A 96 h LC50 value of 1720 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived from Scophthalmus maximus (turbot) exposed to potassium formate.

Executive summary:

A reliable GLP study was conducted to investigate the short-term toxicity of potassium formate to the marine fish, Scophthalmus maximus. The test item concentrations were not analytically verified, but can be assumed to be stable over the test period. A 96 h LC50 value of 1720 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived.

Reference 5

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

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

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

experimental phase: 19 to 23 Nov 1991.

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

Guideline study under GLP conditions, but test item concentrations not verified analytically

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the short-term toxicity to fish data requirement for calcium formate by read-across to an available study on potassium formate.

Calcium formate and potassium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. For aquatic toxicity endpoints, the category is appropriate for formic acid and its salts because salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions. It is therefore expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of potassium formate and calcium formate will be similar.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, U.K.

GLP compliance:

yes

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Potassium formate is being used as a read-across for calcium formate.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: direct dispersion in water

Test organisms (species):

other: Scophthalmus maximus (turbot)

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: turbot
- Source: Golden Sea Produce Ltd., Hunterston, Scotland, Great Britain
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD): juvenile
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 3.3 cm (SD = 0.3 cm)
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): 0.73 g (SD = 0.15 g)
- Feeding during test: no feeding during test


ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: Stock held since 07 Nov 1991 and acclimatised to test conditions from 07 Nov 1991.
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): yes
- Type and amount of food: commercial pellets
- Feeding frequency: daily, discontinued 24 h prior to test
- Health during acclimation (any mortality observed): 0% in 4 d prior to study

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

saltwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test temperature:

14 °C

pH:

8.3

Dissolved oxygen:

8.0 to 8.2 mg/L

Salinity:

32 ‰

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0 (control), 320, 560, 1000, 1800 and 3200 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: glass aquaria holding 20 L of test media
- Aeration: via narrow bore glass tubes
- Type of flow-through (e.g. peristaltic or proportional diluter): daily renewal
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate):
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 1
- Biomass loading rate: 0.37 g bodyweight/L


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: synthetic sea water (Synthetica (R)) at 32 ‰ and aerated for at least 12 h prior to use
- Culture medium different from test medium: no


OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light : 8 h dark


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- observations: mortality and symptoms of distress after 3, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h
- measurements: pH, temperature, and oxygen content at test start and after 24, 48, 72, and 96

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: ca. 1.8

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

1 720 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 1675 to 1765 mg/L

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC100

Effect conc.:

3 200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

Mortality

Concentration (mg/L)	Cumulative mortality (n)
	3h	6h	24h	48h	72h	96h
Control	0	0	0	0	0	0
320	0	0	0	0	0	0
560	0	0	0	0	0	0
1000	0	0	0	0	0	0
1800	0	0	0	0	1	9
3200	0	0	10	10	10	10

 

Abnormalities

After 96 h, 1 fish each was moribund in the 1800 mg/L concentration.At all other test concentrations and time intervals no abnormalities were detected.

Conclusions:

A 96 h LC50 value of 1720 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived from Scophthalmus maximus (turbot) exposed to potassium formate and is considered suitable for read-across to calcium formate.

Executive summary:

It is considered appropriate to address the short-term toxicity to fish data requirement for calcium formate by read-across to an available study on potassium formate. 

Calcium formate and potassium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. For aquatic toxicity endpoints, the category is appropriate for formic acid and its salts because salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions. It is therefore expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of potassium formate and calcium formate will be similar.

A reliable GLP study was conducted to investigate the short-term toxicity of potassium formate to the marine fish, Scophthalmus maximus. The test item concentrations were not analytically verified, but can be assumed to be stable over the test period. A 96 h LC50 value of 1720 mg/L (nominal concentration) was derived, which is also considered to be appropriate for read-across to calcium formate.

Description of key information

With high probability acutely not harmful to fish.

Additional information

An acute fish toxicity study using the freshwater species Leuciscus idus was performed according to a German national guideline. Test item concentrations were not analytically verified. The 96-h LC50 was determined to be greater than 1000 mg/L (Bayer AG, 1988) and as such, it is concluded that calcium formate is not acutely toxic to fish. This conclusion is supported by an acute fish toxicity study that exposed the marine fish species, Scophthalmus maximus, to potassium formate as the test substance and resulted in a 96-h LC50 value of 1720 mg/L (nominal concentration). Calcium formate and potassium formate are both salts of formic acid and are members of the Formates Category. The salts immediately dissociate in water to formic acid and counter ions, therefore it is expected that the ecotoxicological profiles of potassium formate and calcium formate will be similar and this study is considered suitable for read-across to calcium formate.