Bis(pentabromophenyl) ether

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:

1987

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: The study was reviewed as a part of the EU's RAR of DecaBDE, and accepted.

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Responses of marine unicellular algae to brominated organic compounds in six growth media.

Author:

Walsh et al.

Year:

1987

Bibliographic source:

Ecotoxoxicology and Environmental Safety 14,215 –222.

Reference 2

Reference Type:

other: EU RAR

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2002

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The effect of growth media on repsonse of algae to the test article was investigaged.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Bis(pentabromophenyl) ether

EC Number:

214-604-9

EC Name:

Bis(pentabromophenyl) ether

Cas Number:

1163-19-5

Molecular formula:

C12Br10O

IUPAC Name:

bis(pentabromophenyl) ether

Test solutions

Vehicle:

yes

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

other: S. costatum (72 hr), T. pseudonana (72 hr) , Chlorella sp (96 hr).

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

saltwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

72 h

Remarks on exposure duration:

also 96 h

Post exposure observation period:

no

Test conditions

Hardness:

see below

Test temperature:

see below

pH:

see below

Dissolved oxygen:

see below

Salinity:

see below

Nominal and measured concentrations:

0, 1 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

see below

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Effect concentrations 1

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

cell number

Effect concentrations 2

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

cell number

Details on results:

see below

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

DecaBDE was not toxic to 3 marine algae - S. costatum (72 hr), T. pseudonana (72 hr) , Chlorella sp (96 hr). - when tested at 1 mg/L.

Executive summary:

Walsh et al. (1987) studied the toxicity of DecaBDE to the marine unicellular algaeSkeletonema costatum,Thalassiosira pseudonanaandChlorellasp. The tests were carried out at a salinity of 30

‰

for either 72 hours (S. costatumandT. pseudonana) or 96 hours (Chlorellasp.). The end‑point measured was the EC₅₀for growth based on cell numbers. The exposure concentrations in the test solutions were verified by analysis. In the tests, the DecaBDE was added as a solution in acetone (final acetone concentration around 1 ml/l). Six different growth media were used in the test, one natural seawater and five synthetic seawater formulations. The natural seawater had a salinity of 32

‰

and was diluted to give a final test salinity of 30

‰

to be comparable with that of the synthetic media. The pHs of the various test media were in the range 7.6‑8.2. The EC50 for all three species was greater than the highest concentration tested (1 mg/l).