Sodium carbonate

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

1999

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Remarks:

Method developed by Australian government authority. Taken from SIDS on sodium carbonate (2002) where a similar reliability was assigned.

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: method developed by NSW Environment Protection Authority (Warne & Julli, 1999)

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Vehicle:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Ceriodaphnia sp.

Details on test organisms:

- Strain: Not reported.
- Source/supplier: Not reported.
- Breeding method: Cultures maintained in 2-L glass beakers and transferred to fresh water 3 times weekly.
- Age: Neonates less than 24 hr old.
- Feeding: After water renewal at a concentration of 25,000 cell/ml of each of the unicellular algae Pseudokirchneriellia subcapitata Printz and Ankistrodesmus sp.
- Pretreatment: Not reported.
- Feeding during test: Not fed.
- Control group: Yes.

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Post exposure observation period:

no

Details on test conditions:

DILUTION WATER
- Source: Dechlorinated Sydney mains water filtered, aged and adjusted to 500 microS/cm with seawater.
- Aeration: Not reported.
- Alkalinity: Not reported.
- Hardness: Not reported.
- Salinity: Not reported.
- TOC: Not reported.
- Ca/Mg ratio: Not reported.
- Na/K ratio: Not reported.
- TSS: Not reported.
- pH: Measured, not described.
- Oxygen content: Measured, not described.
- Conductance: Measured, not described.
- Holding water: Not reported.

TEST SYSTEM
- Concentrations: The bioassay consisted of five concentrations of sodium carbonate or soda ash in geometric series plus a control.
- Renewal of test solution: No.
- Exposure vessel type: 250 ml glass beakers which held 200 ml of the test solution or control solution.
- Number of replicates, individuals per replicate: For each concentration triplicates of five cladocera per beaker glass were used.
- Test temperature: 22-24°C
- Dissolved oxygen: Measured, not described.
- pH: Measured, not described.
- Adjustment of pH: Not reported.
- Intensity of irradiation: Below 1000 1x at the surface of the solution.
- Photoperiod: 16:8 h light:dark

Reference substance (positive control):

not specified

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

200 - 227 mg/L

Basis for effect:

mobility

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Trimmed Spearman-Karber method

RESULTS: EXPOSED
- Nominal/measured concentrations: Values based on nominal
concentrations.
- Concentration / response curve: Not reported.
- Cumulative immobilisation: Not reported.
- Effect concentration vs. test substance solubility: Not
reported. 
- Other effects: Not reported. 
RESULTS CONTROL: Test was considered invalid when more than
10% of the control neonates were immobilized.
RESULTS: TEST WITH REFERENCE SUBSTANCE
- Concentrations: Not reported.
- Results: Not reported.

Conclusions:

Test with Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia exposed 48 hr resulted in a EC50 values for sodium carbonate were 200 to 227 mg/L.

Executive summary:

A toxicity test was performed with laundry detergent components and the freshwater cladoceran Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia. Reported EC50 values for 48 hr exposure to sodium carbonate were 200 to 227 mg/L. The study was well documented and meets the generally accepted scientific principles.

Description of key information

A toxicity test was performed with laundry detergent components and the freshwater cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia. Reported EC50 values for 48 hr exposure to sodium carbonate were 200 to 227 mg/L. The study was well documented and meets the generally accepted scientific principles.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

200 mg/L