2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

Administrative data

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: sewage treatment simulation testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2005-07-01 to 2005-09-30

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: The study was conducted according to the appropriate OECD test guideline and in compliance with GLP.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2006

Report date:

2006

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 303 A (Simulation Test - Aerobic Sewage Treatment. A: Activated Sludge Units)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

EC Number:

221-221-0

EC Name:

2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

Cas Number:

3033-77-0

Molecular formula:

C6H14NO.Cl

IUPAC Name:

N,N,N-trimethyl(oxiran-2-yl)methanaminium chloride

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

- Physical state: Liquid

- Analytical purity: 73.1%

- Impurities (identity and concentrations): 1.4% 3-chloropropryltrimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC); 19 mg/kg total other impurities; remainder water

- Purity test date: 2005-03-31

- Lot/batch No.: 153897

- Expiration date of the lot/batch: September 2005

- Stability under test conditions: Hydrolyses slowly

- Storage condition of test material: 12-15°C, protected from light

Radiolabelling:

no

Study design

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, non-adapted

Details on source and properties of surface water:

- Details on collection (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): Domestic sewage was collected from the overflow channel of the primary sedimentation tank or the feed of the activated sludge plant of the municipal sewage treatment plant at D-31137 Hildesheim. Synthetic sewage was prepared according to the test guideline and used for DOC adjustment of the domestic sewage if necessary.

- Storage conditions: Stored at 4°C

- Storage length: Maximum 7 days

Details on source and properties of sediment:

Not applicable

Details on inoculum:

- Source of inoculum/activated sludge (e.g. location, sampling depth, contamination history, procedure): Activated sludge from the municipal sewage treatment plant at D-31137 Hildesheim.

- Storage conditions: Aeration at room temperature

- Concentration of sludge: Starting concentration of dry matter 2.40 to 2.47 g/l

Duration of test (contact time):

96 d

Initial test substance concentration

Initial test substance concentration 1

Initial conc.:

30.1 mg/L

Based on:

DOC

Initial test substance concentration 2

Initial conc.:

15.2 mg/L

Based on:

test mat.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

DOC removal

test mat. analysis

Details on study design:

Simulation test - aerobic sewage treatment according to US EPA, OPPTS 835.3220 April 1996, Porous Pot Test and OECD 302 A.

The degradation was studied in a continously operating porous pot with activated sludge from a municipal sewage treatment plant over a test period of 135 days. The influent was adjusted to 200 mg DOC/l. After 40 days of flow, when the DOC elimination was constant >80 %, the test item was added.

The stock solution was adjusted to pH 9 +/- 0.5 in order to stabilise the test item.  Simulation test - aerobic sewage treatment according to US EPA, OPPTS 835.3220 April 1996, Porous Pot Test and OECD 302 A.

The degradation was studied in a continously operating porous pot with activated sludge from a municipal sewage treatment plant over a test period of 135 days. The influent was adjusted to 200 mg DOC/l. After 40 days of flow, when the DOC elimination was constant >80 %, the test item was added.

The stock solution was adjusted to pH 9 +/- 0.5 in order to stabilise the test item. With regard to the low volumes applied the pH value of the porous pot reactor was not markedly influenced. Influent concentration of the test item was 30.1 mg/L DOC which is higher than normal mean test concentration 10-20 mg/l DOC according to OECD quideline (with upper concentration of no more than 50 mg/l).

Activated sludge: pH values were partly outside the specified range 7 to 8. These slight deviations were temporary and found to be negligible. Therefore, no adjustments were made.

Analysis comprised of DOC analysis and specific test item analysis including two known related products CHPTAC and DHPTAC (Di-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride).

Guideline OECD 303 A does not require substance specific analysis, although it has been performed in this study. Influent concentration of the test item was 30.1 mg/L DOC which is higher than normal mean test concentration 10-20 mg/l DOC according to OECD quideline (with upper concentration of no more than 50 mg/l).

Activated sludge: pH values were partly outside the specified range 7 to 8. These slight deviations were temporary and found to be negligible. Therefore, no adjustments were made.

Analysis comprised of DOC analysis and specific test item analysis including two related products CHPTAC and DHPTAC (Di-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride).

Guideline OECD 303 A does not require substance specific analysis, although it has been performed in this study.

Reference substance

Reference substance:

not required

Results and discussion

% Degradation

% Degr.:

ca. 15

St. dev.:

9.7

Parameter:

test mat. analysis

Remarks on result:

other: Sampling time 61-74 days after test item application

Any other information on results incl. tables

DOC Elimination during the phase of test substance addition was between 74 and 91%. 

The primary degradation of EPTAC was in the range of 0-30 %. No clear degradation tendency was observed and no plateau was reached. Mean primary degradation was calculated from 14 (out of total 24) measurements which were done on days 100-113, corresponding to days 61-74 of test item application.

Based on the combined concentrations of EPTAC, CHPTAC and DHPTAC the degradation was 15 +- 9.7% expressed as active ingredient.

Adsorption to sludge was studied in the same study using 6 selected sludge samples during the adaptation.  Koc values ranged from 12 cm3/g to 115 indicating a high to very high mobility of the test substance and no considerable absorption to sludge.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

In an OECD 303A porous pot test, elimination of EPTAC was in the range 0-30%. No clear degradation tendency was observed and no plateau phase was reached. The mean elimination/primary degradation was 15 +/- 9.7% based on measured concentrations of the three substances EPTAC, CHPTAC and DHPTAC in effluent on days 61-74 of test item application.