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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: EEC 1984 "Method for determination of ecotoxicity at level 1, Biodegradation; Repetitive Die Away Test" DGXI/400/84
Deviations:
not specified
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Determination of COD: method of Kelkenberg (1975)
GLP compliance:
yes
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
sewage, domestic, adapted
Details on inoculum:
- Source of inoculum/activated sludge (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): is taken from an activated sludge plant: the municipal waste water treatment plant in Duiven, NL.
-Storage conditions: the sludge is preconditioned during a week
- Concentration of sludge: 7.4 mL/L medium
- Initial cell/biomass concentration: 32.9 mg/L medium
Duration of test (contact time):
7 wk
Initial conc.:
120 mg/L
Based on:
ThOD/L
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
O2 consumption
Details on study design:
TEST CONDITIONS
- Volume of test solution/treatment: 40 mg/L
- Composition of medium: The prepared emulsion, contained 7.6 g oil/L was used as a stock solution
- Solubilising agent (type and concentration if used): 1. Genapol PF-40 (Hoechts), 10% of the weight of the oil. 2. Nonylphenol.10EO.5PO, 20% of the weight of the oil.
- Test temperature: 20 deg. C.
- pH: was measured
- Aeration of dilution water: yes
- Continuous darkness: yes

- Test performed in open system: no
Reference substance:
other: sodium acetate
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (O2 consumption)
Value:
30
Sampling time:
1 wk
Remarks on result:
other: none
Details on results:
Incubation time (days) 0 7 14 21 28 35 42
Ibid for blank 9.20 8.82 8.97 8.84 9.17 9.01 9.12
O2-conc. at time t 9.20 8.83 8.65 7.89 7.56 7.59 8.51
O2 saturation value 9.20 9.20 9.20 9.20 9.20 9.20 9.20
Relative oxygen uptake - 0.216 0.035 0.103 0.175 0.154 0.066
Total oxygen uptake - 0.216 0.035 0.103 0.175 0.154 0.066
% oxidation - 32 33 27 27 26 28
Key result
Parameter:
COD
Value:
2.46 g O2/g test mat.
Results with reference substance:
After 7 days the control had a relative oxygen uptake of 0.790 which is higher compare to the test substance which had a relative oxygen uptake of 0.216 at the same time.
Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Interpretation of results:
inherently biodegradable
Conclusions:
Under the test conditions, linseed oil had degradation rate of 30% per week and the Chemical Oxygen Demand was calculated to be 2.46 g/g. The substance was therefore classified as inherently biodegradable.
Executive summary:

A study was conducted to evaluate the biodegradability of of glycerides, C16-18 and C18-unsatd. (in the form of linseed oil) according to the EEC 1984 Method for Determination of Ecotoxicity at Level 1, Biodegradation, Repetitive Die Away Test (DGXI/400/84), in compliance with GLP. A defined medium was inoculated with activated sludge and stabilised under laboratory conditions for one week and then spiked with the test substance. After an acclimation period of up to 4 weeks to reach 15% degradation, three repetitive weekly additions took place. The test was carried out in triplicates and in the test system a maximum concentration of 120 mg ThOD/L was added. Each week, the oxygen concentration and the pH were measured in each bottle and the water was reaerated to the saturation level. Under the test conditions, linseed oil had degradation rate of 30% per week and the Chemical Oxygen Demand was calculated to be 2.46 g/g. The substance was therefore classified as inherently biodegradable (Balk, 1988).

Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
1989
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Remarks:
Not GLP study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: CEC L-33-T-82 (1982) (Method published by the Coordinating European Council, now listed as CEC L-33-A-934)
Deviations:
not specified
Principles of method if other than guideline:
In this test, biodegradability is measured as disappearance of CH3-CH2 molecular units, using an infrared spectrophotometer.

Mineral test medium, test substance diluted in tetrachlorocarbon or 1,1,2-trichlorofluorethane, and microorganisms from municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge are pooled in an Erlenmeyer which is then closed and incubated for 21 days ar ca. 25 +/- 1°C in the dark.

On Days 0, 7 and 21, the CO2 content is verified. There are three replicates for each analysis day. Also, a toxicity control is included (1 ml of 1% methylmercury is added to inhibit bacterial growth).

Di-isotridecyl-adipate (DIPA) is used as a positive control.

The % biodegradation is calculated using the following formula: % degradation = ((P-T)/P )* 100
(P = average % CO2 from the toxicity controls; T = % CO2 from the test substance; % CO2 calculated based on extinction values from the spectrophotometer)
GLP compliance:
no
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
activated sludge, domestic, non-adapted
Duration of test (contact time):
21 d
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
other: Disappearance of CH3-CH2 molecular units
Reference substance:
other: di-isotridecyl-adipate
Key result
Parameter:
other: Disappearance of CH3-CH2molecular units
Value:
ca. 87.5 - ca. 96.8
Sampling time:
7 d
Key result
Parameter:
other: Disappearance of CH3-CH2 molecular units
Value:
ca. 91.8 - ca. 97.5
Sampling time:
21 d
Results with reference substance:
No data
Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
Under the test conditions, test substance can be considered to fulfill the criteria for ready biodegradability
Executive summary:

A study was conducted to assess the biodegradability of glycerides, C16-18 and C18-unsatd. (in the form of low erucic acid rapeseed oil) according to the Coordinating European Council Method CEC L-33 -T-82 (now called CEC L-33 -A-934). The method measures disappearance of CH3-CH2 units by spectrophotometry. The test substance proved to degrade by more than 87.5% within 7 d and more than 91.8% within 21 d. Therefore, it can be considered to fulfil the criteria for ready biodegradability under the conditions of the study (Fabig, 1989).

Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
From March 22, 2007 to April 19, 2007
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Remarks:
Analytical purity not stated.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 301 B (Ready Biodegradability: CO2 Evolution Test)
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.4-C (Determination of the "Ready" Biodegradability - Carbon Dioxide Evolution Test)
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
no
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
activated sludge, non-adapted
Details on inoculum:
- Source of inoculum/activated sludge: Activated sludge from the aeration tank of a municipal waste water treatment plant, ARA Werdhölzli, Zürich, Switzerland; collected: 20 Mar 2007
- Pretreatment: The sludge was washed twice with tap water.
Duration of test (contact time):
28 d
Initial conc.:
22.8 mg/L
Based on:
TOC
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
CO2 evolution
Details on study design:
TEST CONDITIONS
- Composition of medium: aerobic mineral salts medium prepared with deionised water
- Test temperature: 22 ± 0.5 °C
- pH adjusted: yes, the pH-value was checked at the beginning and at the end of the test and adjusted to pH 7.4 (± 0.2) with NaOH or HCl.
- Suspended solids concentration: 30 mg/L
- Continuous darkness: yes, temperature-controlled dark room
- other: The test substance was added directly into the test vessels.

TEST SYSTEM
- Culturing apparatus: 2500 mL closed glass bottle containing a total volume of test solution of 2000 mL
- Number of culture flasks/concentration: 2
- Method used to create aerobic conditions: Aerated with CO2-free air for a maximum test period of 28 days.
- Measuring equipment: Shimadzu 5050 TOC-Analyzer using the NPOC-mode for DOC-determination
- Details of trap for CO2: The air leaving the individual vessels was passed through gas-absorption bottles filled with NaOH. The trapped CO2 was determined as inorganic carbon (IC).

SAMPLING
- Sampling frequency: Samples were taken on day 0, 1, 4, 7, 11, 14, 19, 21, 25 and 28.
- Sampling method: Samples were centrifuged (15 min at 4500 g) and acidified to pH < 2. Prior to analysis the samples were sparged with CO2-free
high purity air for 10 min to remove inorganic carbon.

CONTROL AND BLANK SYSTEM
- Inoculum blank: yes, 2 replicates
Reference substance:
benzoic acid, sodium salt
Remarks:
20.0 mg/L (TOC)
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (CO2 evolution)
Value:
76
Sampling time:
28 d
Results with reference substance:
Degradation: 90.7% after 14 days, 60% pass level was reached.

Biodegradation of test substance

Time (days)

Test substance 1

Test substance 2

 

Total CO2 release in test sample [mg IC/L]

Degradation (%)

Total CO2 release in test sample [mg IC/L]

Degradation [%]

Mean degradation [%]

0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

1

0.2

0.0

0.3

0.6

0.3

4

2.2

4.0

1.4

0.6

2.3

7

8.8

27.0

7.4

20.7

23.9

11

16.1

49.5

15.6

47.1

48.3

14

20.7

64.7

20.3

62.8

63.7

19

23.3

74.3

23.0

73.0

73.6

21

24.3

76.9

24.1

76.5

76.7

25

25.3

78.8

23.3

70.1

74.4

28

25.8

78.1

25.0

74.4

76.2

Biodegradation of reference substance and Inoculum blank (* = Mean of two replicates)

Time (days)

Reference substance

Inoculum blank *

Total CO2 release in test sample [mg IC/L]

Degradation [%]

Total CO2 release in test sample [mg IC/L]

0

0.0

0.0

0.0

1

1.7

7.7

0.2

4

9.2

39.6

1.3

7

17.0

71.6

2.7

11

22.1

86.2

4.8

14

24.1

90.7

6.0

19

25.3

94.6

6.4

21

25.9

95.7

6.7

25

26.2

94.3

7.3

28

27.0

94.9

8.0

Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
Under the study conditions, the test substance was determined to be readily biodegradable.
Executive summary:

A study was conducted to determine the ready biodegradability of fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with pentaerythritol in an aerobic aqueous medium, according to OECD Guideline 301 B (CO2 evolution method) and EU Method C.4-C. The test substance, at a concentration of 22.8 mg carbon/L, was exposed to activated sludge (domestic, non-adapted micro-organisms) with culture medium in sealed culture vessels in the dark at approximately 21°C for 28 d. Degradation was assessed by the determination of produced carbon dioxide. The reference substance, sodium benzoate (10 mg carbon/L, in duplicates), was used for validation purposes. The test substance attained 76.5% degradation after 28 d. Sodium benzoate attained 90.7% degradation after 14 d and 94.9% degradation after 28 d, thereby confirming the suitability of the inoculum and test conditions. The experiment was considered valid. Under the study conditions, the test substance was determined to be readily biodegradable (Häner, 2007).

Description of key information

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
readily biodegradable
Type of water:
freshwater

Additional information

In the absence of specific studies with the test substance, biodegradation was assessed based on data for substances representative of the main constituents, which can be categorised as pentaerythritol esters (PE) and glycerol esters (GE). The results are presented below:

Pentaerythritol esters

Study 1:

A study was conducted to determine the ready biodegradability of fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with pentaerythritol in an aerobic aqueous medium, according to OECD Guideline 301 B (CO2 evolution method) and EU Method C.4-C. The test substance, at a concentration of 22.8 mg carbon/L, was exposed to activated sludge (domestic, non-adapted micro-organisms) with culture medium in sealed culture vessels in the dark at approximately 21°C for 28 d. Degradation was assessed by the determination of produced carbon dioxide. The reference substance, sodium benzoate (10 mg carbon/L, in duplicates), was used for validation purposes. The test substance attained 76.5% degradation after 28 d. Sodium benzoate attained 90.7% degradation after 14 d and 94.9% degradation after 28 d, thereby confirming the suitability of the inoculum and test conditions. The experiment was considered valid. Under the study conditions, the test substance was determined to be readily biodegradable (Häner, 2007).

Glycerol esters (GE)

Study 1:

A study was conducted to assess the biodegradability of glycerides, C16-18 and C18-unsatd. (in the form of low erucic acid rapeseed oil) according to the Coordinating European Council Method CEC L-33 -T-82 (now called CEC L-33 -A-934). The method measures disappearance of CH3-CH2 units by spectrophotometry. The test substance proved to degrade by more than 87.5% within 7 d and more than 91.8% within 21 d. Therefore, it can be considered to fulfil the criteria for ready biodegradability under the conditions of the study (Fabig, 1989).

Study 2:

A study was conducted to evaluate the biodegradability of of glycerides, C16-18 and C18-unsatd. (in the form of linseed oil) according to the EEC 1984 Method for Determination of Ecotoxicity at Level 1, Biodegradation, Repetitive Die Away Test (DGXI/400/84), in compliance with GLP. A defined medium was inoculated with activated sludge and stabilised under laboratory conditions for one week and then spiked with the test substance. After an acclimation period of up to 4 weeks to reach 15% degradation, three repetitive weekly additions took place. The test was carried out in triplicates and in the test system a maximum concentration of 120 mg ThOD/L was added. Each week, the oxygen concentration and the pH were measured in each bottle and the water was reaerated to the saturation level. Under the test conditions, linseed oil had degradation rate of 30% per week and the Chemical Oxygen Demand was calculated to be 2.46 g/g. The substance was therefore classified as inherently biodegradable (Balk, 1988).

Overall based on studies for its main constituents, the test substance is considered to be readily biodegradable.