Butanone

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Administrative data

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: A sufficiently well reported study to be able to judge result as reliable. This study examined many chemicals and has been judged reliable by the OECD during the assessment of a number of chemical substances under the OECD HPV programme

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Brine Shrimp Bioassay and Seawater BOD of Petrochemicals.

Author:

Price KS, Waggy GT, and Conway RA

Year:

1974

Bibliographic source:

Journal Water Pollution Control Federation 46(1): 63-77

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Closed bottle test (BOD of ThOD) according to the "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater." 13th Ed., Amer. Pub. Health Assn., New York, 1971.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Butanone

EC Number:

201-159-0

EC Name:

Butanone

Cas Number:

78-93-3

Molecular formula:

C4H8O

IUPAC Name:

butan-2-one

Details on test material:

- Test substance: Methyl ethyl ketone
- Analytical Purity: no data

Study design

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

sewage, domestic, non-adapted

Details on inoculum:

- Source of inoculum/activated sludge (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): no data
- Water filtered: yes
- Type and size of filter used, if any: glass wool

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

O2 consumption

Details on study design:

Settled domestic wastewater was filtered through glass wool and added (3 ml) as seed material to BOD bottles that were half filled with aerated dilution water containining minerals and buffer.  An aliquot of the test substance was added to the BOD bottles from a 0.1% stock solution to yieldthe specified starting concentrations.  At least two concentrations were tested in duplicate. 
Dissolved oxygen (DO) was determined 5 times during the study period (20 days) in individual BOD bottles using a commercial DO meter equipped with a probe.  If the DO was 4.0 mg/l, the contents of the bottle were aerated to return the DO to at least 7 mg/l.  2-ml samples were collected from each bottle and analyzed for nitrites and nitrates; although no attempt was made to inhibit the nitrification process.
The results of the biodegradation tests were expressed as percent bio-oxidation.
Synthetic saltwater was prepared in accordance with Standard Methods (1971). 
The seed material was obtained from Lavaca Bay, Texas. A small amount of raw wastewater was added to the seed material approximately every 3-4 days.  Distilled water was added to compensate for evaporative loss.

Results and discussion

% Degradation

% Degradation 1

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

76

Sampling time:

5 d

% Degradation 2

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

82

Sampling time:

10 d

% Degradation 3

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

84

Sampling time:

15 d

% Degradation 4

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

89

Sampling time:

20 d

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:

readily biodegradable