Reactive Blue F08-0170

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Administrative data

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

21 November 2011 to 24 November 2011

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study conducted to EU, OECD & US EPA test standards in compliance with GLP and reported with a valid GLP certificate.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2012

Report date:

2012

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Test guideline 1

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test)

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 2

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EPA OPPTS 850.5400 (Algal Toxicity, Tiers I and II) (January 2012)

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 3

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.3 (Algal Inhibition test)

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 4

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: OECD Guidance Document on Aquatic Toxicity Testing of Difficult Substances and Mixtures, OECD No. 23

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Details on test material:

Name: Reactive Blue F08-0170

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Not applicable

Sampling and analysis

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Analytical measurements were performed at the control and at the applied test concentration levels at the beginning and end of the test.
Each occasion three replicate samples were taken from the test solutions and one sample was taken from the control solution.
The samples were analysed by HPLC using UV detection.

Test solutions

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Dilution and Preparation of Testing Solutions:

An amount of 200 mg test substance was diluted in 1000 mL OECD medium in order to give the 200 mg/L test concentration. The test solutions were prepared by the appropriate diluting of this stock solution and distributed into test vessels prior to introduction of algae.

Untreated Control
Algal growth medium was inoculated with algal cells (without test item) and was examined in parallel to the test item concentrations.

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

Raphidocelis subcapitata (previous names: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Selenastrum capricornutum)

Details on test organisms:

EXPERIMENTAL ORGANISMS

Species: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata
(formerly known as Selenastrum capricornutum)
Strain number: 61.81 SAG (identical strains: CCAP 278/4; UTEX 1648; ATCC 22662)
Source: The algae were supplied by the SAG: Collection of Algal Cultures, Inst. Plant Physiology, University of Göttingen, GERMANY. Cultured under standardised conditions (see OECD 201) in the Ecotoxicological Laboratory of CiToxLAB Hungary Ltd.
Justification of species: The species of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata used, being a fast-growing species, is convenient for culturing and testing and is a recommended species by relevant guidelines.
Initial cell number: The initial cell number in the test cultures was 104 cells/mL.
Pre-culturing: The pre-culture was intended to give an amount of alga suspension suitable for the inoculation of test cultures. The pre-culture was incubated under the conditions of the study in an aerated Algal Growth Medium and used when still exponentially growing (after an incubation period of 3 days). The cell count of above culture was determined by microscopic method and this cell suspension was diluted with Algal Growth Medium to 107 cells/mL.

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

72 h

Post exposure observation period:

No post exposure observation period

Test conditions

Hardness:

Not measured.

Test temperature:

Culture temperature was checked at the beginning of the study and each day thereafter in a flask filled with water, in the climatic chamber. In addition, water temperature was continuously measured (with a min/max thermometer) within the climate chamber. The temperature was in the range of 22.6 – 22.8 °C measured in the flask and between 22.1 and 23.2 °C measured within the climate chamber.

pH:

The pH was checked at the beginning and at the end of the study, in the control and each concentration (in the ‘treated group’). The pH of the control medium was not increased by more than 1.5 units during the test. The range of the pH was 7.70 – 7.77 at the start and 7.51 – 9.21 at the end of the study.

Dissolved oxygen:

Not measured.

Salinity:

Not applicable

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Six test concentrations in a geometric series with a separation factor of 2.0 and one control were used in the main test using EDTA-free medium.
The following nominal concentrations were tested: 6.25; 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L.
The corresponding calculated test item concentrations were: 6.3; 12.4; 25.2; 51.4; 103.3 and 207.2 mg/L.
As the measured concentrations deviated not more than 20 per cent from the nominal in most cases, biological results are based on the nominal concentrations.

Details on test conditions:

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
Light Intensity:
The algal culture flasks were continuously illuminated. The light intensity at the position occupied by algal culture flasks during the test was about 111 μE/m2/s, which was ensured with fluorescent lamps (with a spectral range of 400-700 nm) and it is checked periodically.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST PROCEDURE
The test item is a highly water soluble deep-coloured dye. A spectral analysis of each concentration was made to show the absorption of light at the wavelengths required by chlorophyll. As the amount of light for photosynthesis was significantly affected by the shading effect of the coloured test solution, a modified test was performed in order to separate physical effect of the coloured material from its true toxic effects.
The purpose of this test method is to compare the algae growth of algal cells which are in contact with the test item solution, and the growth of algal cells with the test item solution as only a light filter in front of the algae suspension.
To assure the appropriate position of the test solutions, two superposed flat flasks (which are open for the light only from above) were used per replicate for this experiment.
The following three types of treatment were tested: control, treated and light filter groups.
The following illustration shows the position of the test solutions in the pairs of flasks in the test groups. In each case the algal cells are in the lower flask, where the only light available passes through the upper flat flask (the sides of the flask will be covered). The depth of the liquid in the upper flask was 50% of that in the lower flask (on the basis that the ‘average’ algal cell in the lower flask will be suspended at the point of 50% of the depth).

Control group Treated group Light filter group
OECD medium OECD medium Test Item + OECD medium
Algae + OECD medium Algae + Test Item + OECD medium Algae + OECD medium

The test was performed with six replicates in the control group and three replicates per treated and light filter group in each concentration level.
The flasks were capped with air-permeable stoppers and continuously shaken by a laboratory orbital shaker during the exposure in order to keep the alga cells in suspension. Volume of algal suspension in the lower flask was 20 mL per replicate.
The exposure time was 72 hours. The test was started (0 hours) by inoculation of a biomass of approximately 104 algal cells per mL test medium.

Preliminary Range Finding Test
A comparing concentration range-finding test was conducted to determine and compare the approximate toxicity of the test item in EDTA-free medium and using medium with EDTA, so that appropriate test concentrations can be selected for use in the definitive test. Algal cells were exposed to each concentration of the test item plus a control, for 72 hours. The test was performed with two replicates per each test group (light filter and treated group) and three for the control group.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

Potassium dichromate

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Remarks on result:

other: Corrected result

Details on results:

VALIDITY
The cell density in the control cultures increased by a factor of 52.50 within three days. The mean coefficient of variation for section-by-section specific growth rates (days 0-1; 1-2; 2-3) in the control cultures was 7.23 %.
The coefficient of variation of average specific growth rates during the whole test period (day 0-3) in the control cultures was 1.24 %.
All validity criteria were met, therefore the study can be considered as valid.

LIGHT ABSORPTION MEASUREMENTS
The light absorptions of the control and the test item solutions were measured photometrically in the range of 350-700 nm. The absorption maximum of the Chlorophyll A is about 430 and 660 nm and the absorption maximum of Chlorophyll B is about 450 and 640 nm.
The maximum light absorption of the test item was at approximately at 577 nm in the test solutions. However there was significant absorption at wavelengths required by chlorophyll in the test solutions as well.

MORPHOLOGICAL DEVIATIONS OF THE ALGAL CELLS
Thin cells were observed in both the treated and light filter groups at the concentration of 50 mg/L 48 and 72 hours after the treatment, furthermore it could be also observed at the two highest concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/L in both the treated and filter groups 24; 48 and 72 hours after the start of the test.

Details of the average specific growth rates and the yield are provided in the tables below.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

For the evaluation of the quality of the algae and validation of the experimental conditions, Potassium dichromate (Batch Number: 0769128) is tested at least twice a year to demonstrate satisfactory test conditions.
The date of the last study (Study Code: 11/168-022AL) with the reference item Potassium dichromate is: 11 - 14 July 2011.
The 72h EC 50 : 0.97 mg/L, (95 % confidence limits: 0.88 - 1.07 mg/L)
The 72h EyC 50 : 0.51 mg/L, (95 % confidence limits: 0.47 - 0.56 mg/L

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Statistical comparisons of average specific growth rates and yield in control and in treated groups were carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni t-Test (a= 0.05) by TOXSTAT software. The ErC50 and EyC50 values of the test item and their confidence limits were calculated using Probit analysis by TOXSTAT software.

Any other information on results incl. tables

AVERAGE SPECIFIC GROWTH RATES

Table 1: Growth Rates during the Test Period

Nominal Concentration [mg/L]		Growth rate (u)
		0-24 h	0-48 h	0-72 h
		u	u	u	significance	difference	significance
Control		0.0652	0.0592	0.0550	-	-	-
6.25	treated	0.0498	0.0472	0.0431	*	0.0093	*
	filter	0.0578	0.0539	0.0524	*
12.5	treated	0.0498	0.0384	0.0363	*	0.0104+	*
	filter	0.0529	0.0492	0.0467	*
25	treated	0.0401	0.0320	0.0308	*	0.0137	*
	filter	0.0538	0.0479	0.0445	*
50	treated	0.0401	0.0269	0.0248	*	0.0146	*
	filter	0.0498	0.0465	0.0393	*
100	treated	0.0289	0.0229	0.0166	*	0.0158	*
	filter	0.0401	0.0395	0.0324	*
200	treated	0.0096	0.0048	0.0032	*	0.0208	*
	filter	0.0289	0.0229	0.0240+	*

n.s.: statistically not significantly different compared to the control values (Bonferroni t-Test; a= 0.05)

* : statistically significantly different compared to the control values (Bonferroni t-Test; a= 0.05) : at these values the rounding of the EXCEL and TOXSTAT software was different. The table contains the values calculated with EXCEL.

Table 2: Percentage inhibition of 72h Growth Rates

Nominal Concentration [mg/L]		% inhibition of u (0-72h)
		% inhibition	corrected % inhibition
Control		-	-
6.25	treated	21.6	16.9
	filter	4.7
12.5	treated	34.0	19.0
	filter	15.0
25	treated	44.1	25.0
	filter	19.1
50	treated	55.0	26.5
	filter	28.5
100	treated	69.8	28.8
	filter	41.0
200	treated	94.2	37.9
	filter	56.3

Table 3: Yield (Y) during the Test Period

Nominal Concentration [mg/L]		Yield (Y) 0-72h
		Y	significance	difference	significance
Control		51.5	-	-	-
6.25	treated	21.3	*	21.3	*
	filter	42.7	*
12.5	treated	12.7	*	15.3	*
	filter	28.0	*
25	treated	8.3	*	15.3	*
	filter	23.7	*
50	treated	5.0	*	11.0	*
	filter	16.0	*
100	treated	2.3	*	7.0	*
	filter	9.3	*
200	treated	0.3	*	4.3	*
	filter	4.7	*

n.s.: statistically not significantly different compared to the control values (Bonferroni t-Test; a= 0.05)

* : statistically significantly different compared to the control values (Bonferroni t-Test; a= 0.05)

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The effect of Reactive Blue F08-0170 test item was assessed on algal growth using the unicellular green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata over an exposure period of 72 hours in a modified test system.

The results of this experiment showed that the majority of the observed inhibition effect was related to the light absorption by the test item. However, a greater inhibition was seen at 72 hours when the Test Item Reactive Blue F08-0170 was in contact with the algae cells for 72 hours. This indicates that there was also a toxic effect on the growth of the alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata).

Executive summary:

The effect of Reactive Blue F08-0170 test item was assessed on algal growth using the unicellular green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Selenastrum capricornutum), over an exposure period of 72 hours.

Six test concentrations in a geometric series (factor 2.0) and one untreated control were tested in the main experiment. The test design included three replicates at each test group (light filter and treated group) and six replicates for the untreated control.

As the test item is a highly water soluble deep-coloured dye and the amount of light for photosynthesis is likely to be significantly affected by the shading effect of the coloured test solution, therefore a modified test was performed in order to separate physical effect of the coloured material from its true toxic effects.

Modified test results and results without taking into account modification are reported separately (according to OECD TG No. 201).

The test item concentration was analytically determined at the start and at the end of the test.

The nominal concentrations of Reactive Blue F08-0170 used in the main experiment were: 6.25; 12.5; 25; 50; 100 and 200 mg/L. The corresponding calculated test item concentrations were: 6.3; 12.4; 25.2; 51.4; 103.3 and 207.2 mg/L.

As the measured concentrations deviated not more than 20 per cent from the nominal in most cases, biological results are based on the nominal concentrations.

Statistical comparisons of average specific growth rates and yield in control and in treated groups were carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni t-Test (α = 0.05) by TOXSTAT software.

The ErC50 and EyC50 values of the test item and their confidence limits were calculated using Probit analysis by TOXSTAT software.

The calculated endpoints for the effect of the test item were the following:

Parameter (0-72 h)	CORRECTED RESULTS		NON-CORRECTED RESULTS
	Growth rate (r) [mg/L]	Yield (y) [mg/L]	Growth rate (r) [mg/L]	Yield (y) [mg/L]
EC50	results are based on the nominal concentrations
	> 200 [1485.5 calculated]	could not be calculated	29.4	4.0
95 % conf. limits	201.1 - 10970.1	-	24.25 - 35.68	2.58 - 6.28
NOEC LOEC	not determinable 6.25	not determinable 6.25	not determinable 6.25	not determinable 6.25

The results of this experiment showed that the majority of the observed inhibition effect was related to the light absorption by the test item. However, a greater inhibition was seen at 72 hours when the Test Item Reactive Blue F08-0170 was in contact with the algae cells for 72 hours. This indicates that there was also a toxic effect on the growth of the alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata).