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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: inherent biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
From April 06 to May 04, 1994
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 302 B (Inherent biodegradability: Zahn-Wellens/EMPA Test)
Deviations:
not specified
GLP compliance:
yes
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
other: sludge of a biological sewage teatment plant
Details on inoculum:
- Source of inoculum/activated sludge (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): ARA-Reinech
- Collected on: 05/04/1994
- Concentration: 910 mg/l
Duration of test (contact time):
28 d
Initial conc.:
ca. 298 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Initial conc.:
ca. 151.2 mg/L
Based on:
DOC
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
DOC removal
Details on study design:
TEST CONDITIONS
- Water / Nutrient: according to the specification of the EEC L133 (pp. 99-105) Volume 31 resp. OECD Method 302B
- Temperature: 22.0 ± 3 °C (room temperature)
- Test duration: 28 days
- Lighting: indirect daylight
- Estimation Technique: TOC/DOC Analyzer/ SHIMADZU TOC-5000

Reference substance:
diethylene glycol
Remarks:
149.4 mg/l
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
ca. 45.8
Sampling time:
3 h
Remarks on result:
other: adsorption
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
ca. 92.3
Sampling time:
28 d
Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
not readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
Bioelimination of test substance measured as DOC after 28 days corrected by the blank control is: 92.3%
Adsorption after 3 hours: 45.8%
Executive summary:

Methods:


The inherent biodegradability of test substance was determined in a 28 days Zahn-Wellens-test according to the OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals, No. 302B, 1981.


 


Results:


Bioelimination of test substance measured as DOC after 28 days corrected by the blank control is: 92.3%


Adsorption after 3 hours: 45.8%

Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: screening test, other
Remarks:
BOD5/COD
Type of information:
other: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
March 3, 1976
Reliability:
4 (not assignable)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
abstract
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Internal method Nr.15 (BOD5)
Internal method Nr.16 (COD)
No other information available.
GLP compliance:
no
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
not specified
Details on inoculum:
No data available
Duration of test (contact time):
5 d
Initial conc.:
ca. 1 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Initial conc.:
ca. 5 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Initial conc.:
ca. 10 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Initial conc.:
ca. 50 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Initial conc.:
ca. 100 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Initial conc.:
ca. 500 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
O2 consumption
Details on study design:
TEST CONDITIONS
- pH: 6.7 ( 1 g/L )
Reference substance:
not specified
Parameter:
% degradation (O2 consumption)
Remarks on result:
not determinable
Parameter:
COD
Value:
ca. 1 260.48 mg O2/g test mat.
Parameter:
BOD5
Value:
ca. 42 mg O2/g test mat.
Parameter:
BOD5*100/COD
Value:
ca. 3
Remarks on result:
other: dimentionless value

TOC = 48.5 %

Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Interpretation of results:
not readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
BOD5= 42 mg O2/g
COD= 1260.48 mg O2/g
BOD5/COD= 0.03
Executive summary:

Method:


Internal method Nr. 16 and Nr.15


Results:


- BOD5= 42 mg O2/g


- COD= 1260.48 mg O2/g


- BOD5/COD= 0.03

Description of key information

Not readily biodegradable


DOC (28 d) = 92.3%; adsorption after 3h = 45.8%


BOD5/COD = 0.03

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
not biodegradable
Type of water:
freshwater

Additional information

Different available tests may be valuable, as part of a Weight of Evidence approach that gives information on biodegradability.


 


Inherent biodegradability:


The inherent biodegradability was determined in a Zahn-Wellens, test according to the OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals, No. 302B, Paris 1981. The test has been performed in compliance with the Procedures and Principles of Good Laboratory Practice , regulation of Switzerland. The test substance and the reference substance Diethylenglycol, respectively, were tested in concentrations of 150 mg/l DOC.


The biodegradation of the test substance after 28 days was 92.3%, with adsorption after 3 h of 45.8%. The biodegradation of the reference substance after 9 days was 98.8 %.


In a further test, the DOC removal was calculated with a Zahn/Wellens test (OECD 302 B) in 14 days, with a sample not fully representative of the test substance, and its value was 99 %. Only short abstract was available, therefore no consideration can be made using the results obtained by this test.


 


COD/BOD5 ratio:


Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) are the most commonly used parameters for the characterization of the biodegradability capacity.


COD results are typically higher than BOD5 values, and the ratio between vary depending on the characteristics of the substrate. This ratio has been commonly used as an indicator for biodegradation capacity, the "Biodegradability index" (B.I.).


As indicated in ECHA Guidance requirement R.7B, the BOD5 test is a traditional biodegradation test that is now replaced by the ready biodegradability tests. Therefore, this test should not be performed today for assessment of the ready biodegradability of substances.


Older test data may, however, be used when no other degradability data are available.


Studies on BOD5 and COD are available for this substance, therefore they have been used together with the inherent biodegradability OECD 302.B., in the weight of evidence approach for this substance.


COD was measured according to Method A-16. Details of the method have been not reported. The COD measured was 1260.48 mg/g O2, at concentration of 5 mg/l.


BOD5 was measured according to Method A-15. Details of the method have been not reported. The BOD5 measured was 42 mg/g O2, at concentration of 100 mg/l.


 


As reported in the ECHA Guidance R7.b, a substance is considered as readily biodegradable if BOD5/COD > = 0.5. The ratio BOD5/COD for the test item is 0.03, therefore the substance is considered as not readily biodegradable.