Reaction Products of C4 alcohols and C4 alkenes obtained as by-products from the manufacturing of butan-2-ol by sulfuric acid esterification and hydrolysis of butene

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

4 January 2010 and 19 February 2010.

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

Study conducted in compliance with agreed protocols, with no or minor deviations from standard test guidelines and/or minor methodological deficiencies, which do not affect the quality of the relevant results. The study report was conclusive, done to a valid guideline and the study was conducted under GLP conditions.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2010

Report date:

2010

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Test guideline 1

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 202 (Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test)

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 2

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.2 (Acute Toxicity for Daphnia)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Reaction Products of C4 alcohols and C4 alkenes obtained as by-products from the manufacturing of butan-2-ol by sulfuric acid esterification and hydrolysis of butene

EC Number:

701-242-6

Molecular formula:

A complex and variable combination of C4 hydrocarbons, 2,2'-oxybisbutane and butan-2-ol.

IUPAC Name:

Reaction Products of C4 alcohols and C4 alkenes obtained as by-products from the manufacturing of butan-2-ol by sulfuric acid esterification and hydrolysis of butene

Sampling and analysis

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Chemical analysis of test loading rates
Water samples were taken from the control and the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rate WAF test groups (replicates R1 – R2 pooled) at 0 and 48 hours for quantitative analysis.
Duplicate samples were taken and stored at approximately -20 °C for further analysis if necessary.
The method of analysis, stability, recovery and test preparation analyses are described in attached Appendix 3.

Test solutions

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Range-finding test
Due to the low aqueous solubility and complex nature of the test item for the purposes of the definitive test the test item was prepared as a Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF).
The loading rates to be used in the definitive test were determined by a preliminary range-finding test. In the range-finding test Daphnia magna were exposed to a series of nominal loading rates of 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l.
Amounts of test item (22.5, 225 and 2250 mg) were each separately added to the surface of 22.5 litres of reconstituted water to give the 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l loading rates respectively. Due to the volatile nature of the test item, stirring was conducted using filled and sealed vessels. After the addition of the test item, the reconstituted water was stirred by magnetic stirrer using a stirring rate such that a vortex was formed to give a dimple at the water surface. The stirring was stopped after 23 hours and the mixtures allowed to stand for 1 hour. A wide bore glass tube, covered at one end with Nescofilm was submerged into the vessel, sealed end down, to a depth of approximately 5 cm from the bottom of the vessel. A length of Tygon tubing was inserted into the glass tube and pushed through the Nescofilm seal. The aqueous phase or WAF was removed by
mid-depth siphoning (the first approximate 75-100 ml discarded) to give the 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l loading rate WAFs. Microscopic inspection of the WAFs showed no
micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present.
In the range-finding test 10 daphnids were placed in each test and control vessel and maintained in a temperature controlled room at approximately 20°C with a photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness for a period of 48 hours with 20 minute dawn and dusk transition periods. Due to the volatile nature of the test item the test was conducted using 300 ml completely filled and sealed glass stoppered conical flasks. After 24 and 48 hours the number of immobilised Daphnia magna were recorded.
The control group was maintained under identical conditions but not exposed to the test item.

Definitive test
Based on the results of the range-finding test the following loading rates were assigned to the definitive test: 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l.

Experimental preparation
Amounts of test item (23, 41.4, 73.6, 128.8 and 230 mg) were each separately added to the surface of 2.3 litres of reconstituted water to give the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rates respectively. Due to the volatile nature of the test item, stirring was conducted using filled and sealed vessels. After the addition of the test item, the reconstituted water was stirred by magnetic stirrer using a stirring rate such that a vortex was formed to give a dimple at the water surface. The stirring was stopped after 23 hours and the mixtures allowed to stand for 1 hour. A wide bore glass tube, covered at one end with Nescofilm was submerged into the vessel, sealed end down, to a depth of approximately 5 cm from the bottom of the vessel. A length of Tygon tubing was inserted into the glass tube and pushed through the Nescofilm seal. The aqueous phase or WAF was removed by mid-depth siphoning (the first approximate 75-100 ml discarded) to give the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rate WAFs. Microscopic inspection of the WAFs showed no micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present.
The concentration and stability of the test item in the test preparations were verified by chemical analysis at 0 and 48 hours (see Appendix 3 in attached section).

Physico-chemical measurements
Water temperature was recorded daily throughout the test. Dissolved oxygen concentrations and pH were recorded at the start and termination of the test. The pH and dissolved oxygen concentration were measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH and dissolved oxygen meter and the temperature was measured using a Hanna Instruments HI 93510 digital thermometer.

Vortex depth measurements
The vortex depth was recorded at the start and end of the mixing period.

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

Test Species
The test was carried out using 1st instar Daphnia magna derived from in-house laboratory cultures.
Adult Daphnia were maintained in polypropylene vessels containing approximately 2 litres of reconstituted water in a temperature controlled room at approximately 20¿C. The lighting cycle was controlled to give a 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness cycle with 20 minute dawn and dusk transition periods. Each culture was fed daily with a suspension of algae (Chlorella sp.). Culture conditions ensured that reproduction was by parthenogenesis. Gravid adults were isolated the day before initiation of the test, such that the young daphnids produced overnight were less than 24 hours old. These young were removed from the cultures and used for testing. The diet and diluent water are considered not to contain any contaminant that would affect the integrity or outcome of the study.

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Post exposure observation period:

Not applicable.

Test conditions

Hardness:

The reconstituted water had an approximate theoretical total hardness of 250 mg/l as CaCO3.

Test temperature:

Temperature was maintained at 20 deg C to 21 deg C throughout the test.
Some of the temperatures were measured to be slightly in excess of the 20 ± 1°C given in the protocol. This was considered not to affect the results of the test as no adverse effects of exposure were observed in the control daphnids throughout the duration of the test and that the temperatures were within the test guideline specification.
The temperature was measured using a Hanna Instruments HI 93510 digital thermometer.

pH:

The reconstituted water had a pH of 7.8 ± 0.2 adjusted (if necessary) with NaOH or HCl.
The pH was measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH meter.
There were no treatment related differences for pH.
See Appendix 4 in any other information on materials and methods section.

Dissolved oxygen:

The reconstituted water was aerated until the dissolved oxygen concentration was approximately air-saturation value.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations were recorded at the start and termination of the test. The dissolved oxygen concentration was measured using a dissolved oxygen meter.
See Appendix 4 in any other information on materials and methods section.

Salinity:

freshwater used.

Nominal and measured concentrations:

In the range-finding test Daphnia magna were exposed to a series of nominal loading rates of 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l.
Based on the results of the range-finding test the following loading rates were assigned to the definitive test: 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l.

Details on test conditions:

Range-finding test
Due to the low aqueous solubility and complex nature of the test item for the purposes of the definitive test the test item was prepared as a Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF).

The loading rates to be used in the definitive test were determined by a preliminary range-finding test. In the range-finding test Daphnia magna were exposed to a series of nominal loading rates of 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l.

Amounts of test item (22.5, 225 and 2250 mg) were each separately added to the surface of 22.5 litres of reconstituted water to give the 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l loading rates respectively. Due to the volatile nature of the test item, stirring was conducted using filled and sealed vessels. After the addition of the test item, the reconstituted water was stirred by magnetic stirrer using a stirring rate such that a vortex was formed to give a dimple at the water surface. The stirring was stopped after 23 hours and the mixtures allowed to stand for 1 hour. A wide bore glass tube, covered at one end with Nescofilm was submerged into the vessel, sealed end down, to a depth of approximately 5 cm from the bottom of the vessel. A length of Tygon tubing was inserted into the glass tube and pushed through the Nescofilm seal. The aqueous phase or WAF was removed by mid-depth siphoning (the first approximate 75-100 ml discarded) to give the 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/l loading rate WAFs. Microscopic inspection of the WAFs showed no micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present.

In the range-finding test 10 daphnids were placed in each test and control vessel and maintained in a temperature controlled room at approximately 20°C with a photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness for a period of 48 hours with 20 minute dawn and dusk transition periods. Due to the volatile nature of the test item the test was conducted using 300 ml completely filled and sealed glass stoppered conical flasks. After 24 and 48 hours the number of immobilised Daphnia magna were recorded.
The control group was maintained under identical conditions but not exposed to the test item.

Definitive test
Based on the results of the range-finding test the following loading rates were assigned to the definitive test: 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l.

Experimental preparation
Amounts of test item (23, 41.4, 73.6, 128.8 and 230 mg) were each separately added to the surface of 2.3 litres of reconstituted water to give the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rates respectively. Due to the volatile nature of the test item, stirring was conducted using filled and sealed vessels. After the addition of the test item, the reconstituted water was stirred by magnetic stirrer using a stirring rate such that a vortex was formed to give a dimple at the water surface. The stirring was stopped after 23 hours and the mixtures allowed to stand for 1 hour. A wide bore glass tube, covered at one end with Nescofilm was submerged into the vessel, sealed end down, to a depth of approximately 5 cm from the bottom of the vessel. A length of Tygon tubing was inserted into the glass tube and pushed through the Nescofilm seal. The aqueous phase or WAF was removed by mid-depth siphoning (the first approximate 75-100 ml discarded) to give the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rate WAFs. Microscopic inspection of the WAFs showed no micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present.
The concentration and stability of the test item in the test preparations were verified by chemical analysis at 0 and 48 hours (see attached Appendix 3).

Exposure conditions
In the definitive test 150 ml glass conical flasks completely filled with test preparation were used. At the start of the test 10 daphnids were placed in each test and control vessel at random, in the test preparations. Duplicate test vessels were used for each test and control group. The test vessels were then sealed, with minimal headspace to prevent losses of the test item due to its volatile nature, and maintained in a temperature controlled room at approximately 20°C with a photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness with 20 minute dawn and dusk transition periods. The daphnids were not individually identified, received no food during exposure and the test vessels were not aerated.
The control group was maintained under identical conditions but not exposed to the test item.
The test preparations were not renewed during the exposure period. Any immobilisation or adverse reactions to exposure were recorded at 24 and 48 hours after the start of exposure. The criterion of effect used was that Daphnia were considered to be immobilised if they were unable to swim for approximately 15 seconds after gentle agitation.

Vortex depth measurements
The vortex depth was recorded at the start and end of the mixing period.

Physico-chemical measurements
Water temperature was recorded daily throughout the test. Dissolved oxygen concentrations and pH were recorded at the start and termination of the test. The pH and dissolved oxygen concentration were measured using a WTW pH/Oxi 340I pH and dissolved oxygen meter and the temperature was measured using a Hanna Instruments HI 93510 digital thermometer.

Test Water
The reconstituted water used for both the range-finding and definitive tests was the same as that used to maintain the stock animals.
The reconstituted water is defined in Appendix 1.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

Potassium dichromate

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Effect concentrations 1

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EL50

Effect conc.:

32 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

other: immobilisation

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL of 28 - 36 mg/l.

Effect concentrations 2

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOELR

Effect conc.:

18 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

other: immobilisation

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL not stated

Details on results:

Validation of Mixing Period
Pre-study investigational work (see Appendix 2 in any other information on materials and methods section.) indicated that there was no significant increase in the amount of total organic carbon by extending the preparation period for longer than 24 hours. Therefore for the purpose of testing, the WAF was prepared using a stirring period of 23 hours followed by a 1-Hour standing period.

Range-finding Test
Cumulative immobilisation data from the exposure of Daphnia magna to the test item during the range-finding test are given in Table 1 see in any other information on results section.
No immobilisation was observed at the 1.0 and 10 mg/l loading rate WAFs. However, immobilisation was observed at the 100 mg/l loading rate WAF.
Based on this information loading rates of 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l, using a stirring period of 23 hours followed by a 1-Hour standing period, were selected for the definitive test.

Definitive Test
Immobilisation data
Cumulative immobilisation data from the exposure of Daphnia magna to the test item during the definitive test are given in Table 2 see in any other information on results section. The relationship between percentage immobilisation and loading rate at 24 and 48 hours is given in Figures 1 and 2 see in attached section.
Analysis of the immobilisation data by the probit method (Finney 1971) at 24 hours and the trimmed Spearman-Karber method (Hamilton et al 1977) at 48 hours based on the nominal loading rates gave the following results:
Time (h) EL*50 (mg/l) 95% Confidence limits
(mg/l)
24 36 31 - 41
48 32 28 - 36
The No Observed Effect Loading rate after 24 and 48 hours exposure was 18 mg/l loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading rate is based upon zero immobilisation at this loading rate.
The slope and its standard error of response curve at 24 hours was 8.8 (SE = 2.0). Due to the unsuitable nature of the data it was not possible to calculate the slope and standard error of response curve at 24 hours.

Physico-chemical measurements
The results of the physico-chemical measurements are given in Appendix 4 see in any other information on materials and methods section. Temperature was maintained at approximately 20°C throughout the test, while there were no treatment related differences for oxygen concentration or pH.

Vortex depth measurements
The vortex depth was recorded at the start and end of the mixing period and was observed to be a dimple at the water surface on each occasion (see Table 4 see in any other information on materials and methods section.

Observations on test material solubility
Observations on the test media were carried out during the mixing and testing of the WAFs.
At the start of the mixing period the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rates were observed to be clear, colourless water columns with oily globules of test item at the surface. After 23 hours stirring and a 1-Hour standing period the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rates were observed to remain clear, colourless water columns with oily globules of test item at the surface. After siphoning and for the duration of the test, the 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l loading rates were observed to be clear, colourless solutions. Microscopic inspection of the WAFs showed no micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present.

Chemical analysis of test loading rates
Analysis of the test preparations at 0 hours (see Appendix 3) showed measured concentrations to range from 6.30 to 88.3 mg/l. Analysis of the test preparations at 48 hours showed measured concentrations of 5.08 to 73.1 mg/l. This slight decline in measured concentration over the test period was considered to be due to losses through volatility.
The dissolved test item may have been one or several components of the test item. Given that toxicity cannot be attributed to a single component or mixture of components but to the test item as a whole the results were based on nominal loading rates only.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Cumulative immobilisation data from the exposure of Daphnia magna to the reference item (Harlan Laboratories Ltd Project No: 0039/1133) during the positive control are given in Table 3 see in any other information on results section. The relationship between percentage immobilisation and concentration at 24 and 48 hours is given in Figures 3 and 4 see attached section.
Analysis of the immobilisation data by the probit method (Finney 1971) at 24 hours and the trimmed Spearman-Karber method (Hamilton et al 1977) at 48 hours based on the nominal test concentrations gave the following results:
Time (h)
EC50 (mg/l) 95% Confidence limits
(mg/l)
24 0.84 0.72 - 0.97
48 0.65 0.58 - 0.72
The No Observed Effect Concentration after 24 and 48 hours was 0.32 mg/l. The No Observed Effect Concentration is based upon zero immobilisation at this concentration.
The slope and its standard error of the response curve at 24 hours was 7.7 (SE = 1.6). Due to the unsuitable nature of the data it was not possible to calculate the slope and error of response curve at 48 hours.
The results from the positive control with potassium dichromate were within the normal range for this reference item. The mean 48-Hour EC50 value calculated from all positive controls was 0.77 mg/l (sd = 0.20).

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The EL*50 value and associated confidence limits at 24 hours were calculated by the maximum-likelihood probit method (Finney 1971) using the ToxCalc computer software package (ToxCalc 1999) and at 48 hours by the trimmed Spearman-Karber method (Hamilton et al 1977) using the ToxCalc computer software package (ToxCalc 1999).
Probit analysis is used where two or more partial responses to exposure are shown.
When only one partial response is shown the trimmed Spearman-Karber method is appropriate.
The EC50 value and associated confidence limits at 24 hours and the slope of the response curve and standard error were calculated by the maximum-likelihood probit method (Finney 1971) using the ToxCalc computer software package (Toxcalc 1999). The EC50 value and associated confidence limits at 48 hours were calculated by the trimmed Spearman-Karber method (Hamilton et al 1977) using ToxCalc computer software package (ToxCalc 1999).
Probit analysis is used when two or more partial responses to exposure are shown.
When only one partial response is shown the trimmed Spearman-Karber method is appropriate.

Any other information on results incl. tables

 

Table1              Cumulative Immobilisation Data in the Range-finding Test

Nominal Loading Rate (mg/l)	Cumulative Immobilised Daphnia (Initial Population: 10 Per Replicate)
	24 Hours	48 Hours
Control	0	0
1.0	0	0
10	0	0
100	10	10

 

  Table 2              Cumulative Immobilisation Data in the DefinitiveTest

Nominal Loading Rate (mg/l)	Cumulative Immobilised Daphnia (Initial Population: 10 Per Replicate)
	24 Hours				48 Hours
	R1	R2	Total	%	R1	R2	Total	%
Control	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
32	3	4	7	35	4	6	10	50
56	9	10	19	95	10	10	20	100
100	10	10	20	100	10	10	20	100

R₁– R₂= Replicates 1 and 2

Table 3              Cumulative Immobilisation Data in the Positive Control

Nominal Loading Rate (mg/l)	Cumulative Immobilised Daphnia (Initial Population: 10 Per Replicate)
	24 Hours				48 Hours
	R1	R2	Total	%	R1	R2	Total	%
Control	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
0.32	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
0.56	1	1	2	10	3	2	5	25
1.0	7	7	14	70	10	10	20	100
1.8	10	9	19	95	10	10	20	100
3.2	10	10	20	100	10	10	20	100

R₁– R₂= Replicates 1 and 2

Table4              Vortex Depth Measurements at the Start and End of the Mixing Period

	Nominal Loading Rate (mg/l)
	Control		10		18
	*	+	*	+	*	+
Height of Water Column (cm)	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0
Depth of Vortex (cm)	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2
Observation of Vortex	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present

 

	Nominal Loading Rate (mg/l)
	32		56		100
	*	+	*	+	*	+
Height of Water Column (cm)	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0
Depth of Vortex (cm)	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2	~0.2
Observation of Vortex	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present	Dimple present

*= Start of mixing period

+= End of mixing period

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The acute toxicity of the test item to the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna has been investigated and gave a 48-Hour EL*50 value of 32 mg/l loading rate WAF with 95% confidence limits of 28 36 mg/l loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading rate at 48 hours was 18 mg/l loading rate WAF.

Executive summary:

Introduction.

A study was performed to assess the acute toxicity of the test item to Daphnia magna. The method followed that described in the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals (April 2004) No 202, "Daphnia sp, Acute Immobilisation Test" referenced as Method C.2 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 440/2008.

Methods.

Following a preliminary range-finding test, twenty daphnids (2 replicates of 10 animals) were exposed to Water Accommodated Fractions (WAFs) of the test item over a range of nominal loading rates of 10, 18, 32, 56 and 100 mg/l for 48 hours at a temperature of approximately 20°C in sealed vessels under static test conditions. The number of immobilised Daphnia were recorded after 24 and 48 hours.

A positive control conducted approximately every six months used potassium dichromate as the reference item. Daphnia magna was exposed to an aqueous solution of the reference item at concentrations of 0.32, 0.56, 1.0, 1.8 and 3.2 mg/l for 48 hours at a temperature of approximately 20°C under static test conditions. Immobilisation and any adverse reactions to exposure were recorded after 24 and 48 hours.

Results.

The 48-Hour EL*₅₀for the test item to Daphnia magna based on nominal loading rates was 32 mg/l loading rate WAF with 95% confidence limits of 28 - 36 mg/l loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading rate was 18 mg/l loading rate WAF.

Analysis of the test preparations at 0 hours showed measured concentrations to range from 6.30 to 88.3 mg/l. Analysis of the test preparations at 48 hours showed measured concentrations of 5.08 to 73.1 mg/l. This slight decline in measured concentration over the test period was considered to be due to losses through volatility.

Given that the toxicity cannot be attributed to a single component or a mixture of components but to the test item as a whole the results were based on nominal loading rates only.

The 48-Hour EC₅₀for the reference item to Daphnia magna based on nominal concentrations was 0.65 mg/l with 95% confidence limits of 0.58 – 0.72 mg/l. The No Observed Effect Concentration was 0.32 mg/l.

 

Conclusion.

The acute toxicity of the test item to the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna has been investigated and gave a 48-Hour EL*₅₀ value of 32 mg/l loading rate WAF with 95% confidence limits of 28 - 36 mg/l loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading rate at 48 hours was 18 mg/l loading rate WAF.

*EL = Effective Loading rate