Acrylaldehyde

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Description of key information

Freshwater 
Scenedesmus subspicatus: 
72h EC50=0.026 mg/l based on biomass 
72h EC50=0.061 mg/l based on growth rate
NOEC=0.010 mg/l based on growth rate

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for freshwater algae:

0.061 mg/L

EC10 or NOEC for freshwater algae:

0.01 mg/L

Additional information

1. European Union Risk Assessment Report of Acrolein (EU, 2001)

Fresh water

The EC₅₀-values for freshwater algae range from 26 to 1800 μg/l. The lowest 72h-EC₅₀ of 26 µg/l is found for Scenedesmus subspicatus and is based on the endpoint biomass (72h-EC₅₀ = 61 µg/l based on the endpoint growth rate). The NOEC for growth rate was 10 µg/l. The study was considered to be reliable in the EU-RAR (2001), even though does not meet a main validity criteria (the cell number in the controls increased by a factor of only ca. 15). Tests with Anabaena sp., Cladophora glomerata and Enteromorpha intestinalis are performed in a closed system and are based on the endpoint photosynthesis reduction. The EC₅₀s in these tests were in a range of 690 to1800 µg/l. It has to be noted that the exposure time of 24 hours in these tests is relatively short and not strictly according to accepted standard guidelines.

Marine algae

Toxicity data for marine algae are not available.

2. Agreement with further international Reports and Studies published after finalisation of the EU Risk Assessment Report 2001  

WHO (2002): According to many field trials on the efficiency of acrolein as a pesticide, most submerged aquatic weeds and algae are sensitive. The most sensitive species identified is the alga Scenedesmus subspicatus, which has a 72-h EC₅₀ (biomass) of 26 μg/litre, a 72-h EC₅₀ (growth rate) of 61 μg/litre, and a no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) of 10 μg/litre.

3. Substantial disagreements in comparison to further international Reports to European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001

None

4. Additional aspects in further international Reports

None

5. Additional information in newer Studies, not included in the European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001 or further cited international reports

None

6. Conclusions

The lowest 72h-EC₅₀of 26 µg/l is found for Scenedesmus subspicatus and is based on the endpoint biomass (72h-EC₅₀ = 61 µg/l based on the endpoint growth rate). The NOEC for growth rate was 10 µg/l. The study was considered to be reliable in the EU-RAR (2001), even though does not meet a main validity criteria (the cell number in the controls increased by a factor of only ca. 15).