Copper hydroxide nitrate (Cu2(OH)3(NO3))

Short-term toxicity to fish

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

May 1 -June 7, 1975

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Non GLP Study (dated 1977)

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

secondary source

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1977

Reference 2

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Toxicity of Metal Mining Wastes

Author:

Hale J.G.

Year:

1977

Bibliographic source:

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicolgy, Vol 17, N°1

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: U.S. EPA Standard Methods No. 810 B.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Nitric Acid, Copper (2+) salt

IUPAC Name:

Nitric Acid, Copper (2+) salt

Details on test material:

CAS# 3251-23-8

Sampling and analysis

Details on sampling:

Test water fo bioassay was prepared by addinig a stock concentration of reagent grade chemical to Whitewood Creek water. The chemical used wascupric nitrate Cu(NO3)2. Stock solution was made-up on the basis of active ingredient (Copper).

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)

Details on test organisms:

Young-of-the-year (2-month-old) rainbow trout (Salmo gairdineri Richardson). The total length of these fish ranged from 51 to 76 mm.

Study design

Test type:

flow-through

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test conditions

pH:

pH ranged from 6.4 to 8.3

Dissolved oxygen:

Dissolved oxygen ranged from 4.8 to 9.0 mg/L

Salinity:

Total alkalinity ranged from 82 to 132 mg/L as CaCO3.

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Cu < 30 µg/L

Details on test conditions:

Test chambers were made of glass and had a 8-liter capacity. Bioassay exposures were in duplicate at each test concentration with ten fish in each chamber. The minimum volumetric turnover for any chamber was 6.5 times in 24 hours.
Test water was monitored daily for pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity and heavy metals. One test chamber was continuously monitored for temperature with a recording thermocouple.
Fish mortalities were recorded at 24-hours intervals. LC50 values were estimated using a straight-line graphic interpolation (Standard methods, 1971).

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

253 µg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

element

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Details on results:

Under the conditions of the test, the 96-hour LC50 value for Copper, using a 2-month-old rainbow trout, was 253 µg Cu/L. Range tested was 0.078 to 1.250 mg Cu/L.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

Free ionic copper is considered the active ingredient in inorganic copper salts, and is believed to be responsible for adverse effects. The bioavailablity of the copper ion at target sites determines the severity of effects. Copper nitrate is more water soluble than Copper hydroxide nitrate and provides a conservative estimate of acute aquatic toxicity.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

Under the conditions of the test, the 96-hour LC50 value for Copper, using a 2-month-old rainbow trout, was 253 µg Cu/L. Based on a content of 53% Copper in Basic Copper Nitrate, the 96-hour LC50 value for this substance is estimated to be 477 µg/L.