Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to microorganisms

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Referenceopen allclose all

Endpoint:
activated sludge respiration inhibition testing
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
21 August 2018 - 28 August 2018
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Remarks:
Test method according to OECD Guideline 209. GLP study.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test (Carbon and Ammonium Oxidation))
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Analytical monitoring:
no
Vehicle:
no
Details on test solutions:
PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: the test item was directly (using micro-syringes) introduced into the test vessels.
Test organisms (species):
activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage
Details on inoculum:
- Name and location of sewage treatment plant where inoculum was collected: City of Warsaw's sewage treatment plant ”Czajka”
- Preparation of inoculum for exposure: A sample of an activated sludge was taken from the exit of the aeration tank of the treatment plant ”Czajka”. The sludge was used as collected but coarse particles were removed by settling for a short period and decanting the upper layer of finer solids. The sludge was decanted for a period (15 minutes) to produce a clear supernatant and pellet of sewage solids. The supernatant liquid was discarded and the sludge was resuspended in chlorine-free tap water, with shaking and aeration, and the wash-water was removed by decantation and discarding again. The washing and decantation process was repeated four times. The dry mass of a known volume (100 ml) of the re-suspended sludge was determined and the sludge concentrated by removing liquor or diluted further in chlorine-free tap water to obtain the required sludge solids concentration of 3 g/L. The activated sludge was continuously aerated (about 1 L/minute) at the test temperature, and was used on the next day. The sludge was fed daily with the synthetic sewage feed (50 mL synthetic sewage feed/L activated sludge) for two additional days. The sludge was then used for the test.
- Initial biomass concentration: 3g/L
Test type:
static
Water media type:
freshwater
Limit test:
no
Total exposure duration:
3 h
Test temperature:
20 ± 2°C
pH:
The pH of the mixtures of test item after the 3 hour incubation was between 7.45 and 8.21.
Dissolved oxygen:
60 – 70% saturation
Nominal and measured concentrations:
Nominal concentrations: 0 (control), 0.17, 1.0, 10.0, 100.0 and 1000.0 mg/L.
Details on test conditions:
TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: Glass beakers with a nominal volume of 1000 mL
- Aeration: The beakers were aerated continuously. Clean, oil-free air. Air flow 0.5 to 1 litre/minute.
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): Three
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): Six (total respiration), six (heterotrophic respiration) and two (nitrification)
- No. of vessels per abiotic control (replicates): one
- Sludge concentration (weight of dry solids per volume): 1.5 g/L
- Nutrients provided for bacteria: synthetic sewage feed (50 mL synthetic sewage feed/L activated sludge)
- Nitrification inhibitor used (delete if not applicable): N-allylthiourea

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: The deionised water was used and chlorine–free tap water for activated sludge washing.
- Intervals of water quality measurement: pH was measured at the beginning and at the end of the exposure period. The concentration of dissolved oxygen was continuously measured and recorded for a 10 minute period, until the oxygen concentration falls below 2 mg/l.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: Yes

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
Inhibition of total oxygen uptake: At the end of 3 hour incubations, samples were withdrawn to measure the rate of decrease of the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a completely filled BOD bottle. The measurements were made individually. A sample from the first aeration vessel was transferred to fill a BOD bottle and the concentration of dissolved oxygen was immediately measured with the self-stirring oxygen electrode. From the data collected, the specific respiration rates of the control and test mixtures were calculated; the percentage inhibition was then calculated.

Differentiation between inhibition of heterotrophic respiration and nitrification: The use of the specific nitrification inhibitor N-allylthiourea (ATU) enabled the direct assessment of the inhibitory effects of test item on heterotrophic oxidation, and by subtracting the oxygen uptake rate in the presence of ATU from the total uptake rate (no ATU present), the effects on the rate of nitrification were calculated. Two sets of reaction mixtures were prepared, but additionally, ATU was added to each mixture of one set at a final concentration of 11.6 mg/l, which is known to inhibit nitrification completely in sludge with suspended solids concentrations of up to 3000 mg/l. The oxygen uptake rates was measured after the exposure period; these direct values represent heterotrophic respiration only, and the differences between these and the corresponding total respiration rates represent nitrification. The various degrees of inhibition were then calculated.

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: geometric serie with ratio of 10
Reference substance (positive control):
yes
Remarks:
(3,5-dichlorophenol)
Key result
Duration:
3 h
Dose descriptor:
EC50
Effect conc.:
> 10 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
inhibition of total respiration
Remarks on result:
other: As inhibition of dissolved part is less than 50%, it can be assumed that EC50 > 10 mg/L
Key result
Duration:
3 h
Dose descriptor:
EC10
Effect conc.:
0.85 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
inhibition of respiration due to nitrification
Details on results:
- Any observations (e.g. precipitation) that might cause a difference between measured and nominal values: no
- Effect concentrations exceeding solubility of substance in test medium: The test substance, in the measured substance content range of 0.17-1000 mg/L, has a toxic effect on the oxidation of ammonium (nitrification) but not on heterotrophic oxidation (biodegradation). Quite the opposite, the heterotrophic respiration was stimulated (probably hormesis phenomenon), achieving about 5% of stimulation for test item content greater than 10 mg/L.
- Adsorption (e.g. of test material to the walls of the test container): no
- Blank controls oxygen uptake rate: >20 mg/gh in control replicates for test item or reference item
- Coefficient of variation of oxygen uptake rate in control replicates: <30% in control replicates for test item or reference item
Results with reference substance (positive control):
- Results with reference substance valid? Yes
- Relevant effect levels:
The calculated values of the end points EC50 for the reference item were found to be:
1. Total respiration inhibition: 3.4 mg/l which lies in the range 2 mg/l to 25 mg/l according to validity criteria.
2. Heterotrophic respiration inhibition: 9.9 mg/l which lies in the range 5 mg/l to 40 mg/l of validity criteria.
3. Nitrification inhibition: about 0.86 mg/l which is in the range 0.1 mg/l to 10 mg/l according to validity criteria.

Test item total respiration inhibition

Average oxygen consumption rate from FB1 and FB2 equals 42.45 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RT. mg/Lh

IT. %

2 – FT1/0.17 mg/L

42.17

0.66

3– FT2/0.17 mg/L

43.50

-2.47

4 – FT3/0.17mg/L

40.65

4.24

Average

42.11 ± 1.43

0.81 ± 3.36

Average oxygen consumption rate from FB2 and FB3 equals 45.09 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RT. mg/Lh

IT. %

6 – FT1/1.0 mg/L

41.57

7.81

7 – FT2/1.0 mg/L

43.70

3.08

8– FT3/1.0 mg/L

44.50

1.31

Average

43.26 ± 1.52

4.07 ± 3.36

Average oxygen consumption rate from FB3 and FB4 equals 48.78 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RT. mg/Lh

IT. %

10 – FT1/10.0 mg/L

48.00

1.60

11 – FT2/10.0 mg/L

48.72

0.12

12 – FT3/10.0 mg/L

49.32

-1.11

Average

48.68 ± 0.66

0.20 ± 1.36

     Average oxygen consumption rate from FB4 and FB5 equals 49.36 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RT. mg/Lh

IT. %

14 – FT1/100.0mg/L

47.80

3.16

15 – FT2/100.0 mg/L

49.80

-0.89

16 – FT3/100.0 mg/L

46.31

6.20

Average

  47.97 ± 1.75

2.82 ± 3.56

Average oxygen consumption rate from FB5 and FB6 equals 48.75 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RT. mg/Lh

IT. %

18 – FT1/1000 mg/L

48.87

-0.25

19– FT2/1000 mg/L

49.01

-0.53

20 – FT3/1000 mg/L

46.21

5.21

Average

48.03 ± 1.58

 -1.48 ± 3.24

Test item heterotrophic respiration inhibition

Average oxygen consumption rate from FHB1 and FHB2 equals 30.25 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RH. mg/Lh

IH. %

3 – FH1/0.17 mg/L

30.31

-0.20

4 – FH2/0.17 mg/L

29.73

1.72

5 – FH3/0.17 mg/L

30.05

0.66

Average

30.03 ± 0.29

0.73 ± 0.96

Average oxygen consumption rate from FHB2 and FHB3 equals 31.85 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RH. mg/Lh

IH. %

7 – FH1/1.0 mg/L

33.03

-3.70

8 – FH2/1.0 mg/L

31.07

2.51

9 – FH3/1.0 mg/L

30.45

4.40

Average

31.51 ± 1.35

1.07 ± 4.24

Average oxygen consumption rate from FHB3 and FHB4 equals 32.34 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RH. mg/Lh

IH. %

11 – FH1/10.0 mg/L

34.89

-7.89

12 – FH2/10.0 mg/L

33.89

-4.79

13 – FH3/10.0 mg/L

33.97

-5.04

Average

34.25 ± 0.56

-5.91 ± 1.72

Average oxygen consumption rate from FHB4 and FHB5 equals 31.30 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RH. mg/Lh

IH. %

15 – FH1/100.0 mg/L

31.45

-0.48

16 – FH2/100.0 mg/L

34.02

-8.69

17 – FH3/100.0 mg/L

33.23

-6.17

Average

32.90 ± 1.32

-5.11 ± 4.21

Average oxygen consumption rate from FHB5 and FHB6 equals 33.05 mg/Lh was taken for the calculations

Bottle #

RT. mg/Lh

IH. %

19– FH1/1000 mg/L

34.45

-4.24

20 – FH2/1000 mg/L

36.34

-9.96

21 – FH3/1000 mg/L

34.84

-5.42

Average

35.21 ± 1.01

-6.54 ± 3.02

FB: blank control total respiration test substance

FT: total respiration test substance

FH: heterotrophic respiration test substance

FHB: blank control heterotrophic respiration test substance

RT: total respiration

RH: Heterotrophic respiration

IT: percentage inhibition of total oxygen consumption

IH: percentage inhibition of heterotrophic oxygen uptake

An average value of oxygen uptake due to sludge nitrification was 27.08 mg/Lh.

Percentage of test item nitrification inhibition (calculated from above values of IT and IH):

Test item concentration. mg/L of test item

IN. %

0.17

0.98

1.0

11.25

10.0

12.23

100.0

16.60

1000

18.28

The following end points ECX (mg/L) were determined for nitrification inhibition.

Inhibition (%)

ECx. mg/L

EC5

EC10

EC15

Nitrification

0.41

0.85

3.26

Whereas the heterotrophic respiration was stimulated, achieving about 5% for test item content greater than 10 mg/L.

Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Remarks:
(results for the reference substance are within the acceptable range; blank controls oxygen uptake rate was less than 20 mg O2/gram of activated sludge in an hour; coefficient of variation of oxygen uptake rate in control replicates is less than 30%)
Conclusions:
In the activated sludge respiration inhibition test, the EC50 of the test item was determined to be greater than 10 mg/L as no inhibition was observed for the dissolved part.


Executive summary:

The study of activated sludge respiration inhibition was carried out according with OECD Guideline 209, using activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant treating predominantly domestic sewage. The inhibition of three different oxygen uptakes was determined, total, heterotrophic only and due to nitrification. The microbial inoculum was a preparation of activated sludge adjusted to 1.5 g suspended solids per litre in the test vessels. The respiration rates of samples of activated sludge fed with synthetic sewage was measured in an enclosed cell containing an oxygen electrode after a contact time (incubation) of 3 hours. Five concentrations of the test substance (0.17, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 mg/L) were tested versus blank controls. As positive control substance 3,5-dichlorophenol was used and it was tested in five concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 mg/L). All the validity criteria were found to lie in the ranges allowed. The test substance was found to have a toxic effect on the oxidation of ammonium (nitrification) but not on heterotrophic oxidation (biodegradation). Quite the opposite, the heterotrophic respiration was stimulated (probably hormesis  phenomenon), achieving about 5% of stimulation for test item content greater than 10 mg/L. It was not possible to experimentally obtain the EC50 values with the test item due to limited water solubility. However, the EC50 was expected to be greater than 10 mg/L as no inhibition was observed for the dissolved part of test substance.

Endpoint:
toxicity to microorganisms, other
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Study period:
23 July 1980 - 06 August 1980
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
other: OECD Guideline 301 C (Ready Biodegradability: Modified MITI Test (I))
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
(test duration lower than 28 d)
GLP compliance:
no
Analytical monitoring:
yes
Details on sampling:
- Concentrations: 100 mg/L



Vehicle:
no
Test organisms (species):
activated sludge
Details on inoculum:
- Initial biomass concentration: 30 mg/L SS
Test type:
static
Water media type:
freshwater
Limit test:
yes
Total exposure duration:
14 d
Nominal and measured concentrations:
100 mg/L (nominal)
Details on test conditions:
TEST SYSTEM
- Sludge concentration (weight of dry solids per volume): 30 mg/L.
- Nitrification inhibitor used (delete if not applicable): none.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: no.

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable): Biodegradation % based on oxygen consumption.

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Test concentrations: 100 mg/L
Reference substance (positive control):
not specified
Key result
Duration:
14 d
Dose descriptor:
NOEC
Effect conc.:
100 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
other: Readily biodegradability
Details on results:
The NOEC of the test item was determined to be 100 mg/L since the substance degrades well (73% of biodegradation at 14 days).
Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Conclusions:
The NOEC (14d) for microorganism toxicity of the test item was determined to be 100 mg/L (based on biodegradation).
Executive summary:

A ready biodegradability test was perfomed on dipentene. The test item was incubated for 14 days at a concentration of 100 mg/L with 30 mg/L SS activated sludge inoculum under aerobic conditions in a mineral medium. The NOEC (14d) of the test item was determined to be 100 mg/L since the substance degraded well (73% of biodegradation at 14 days).


Endpoint:
toxicity to microorganisms, other
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Study period:
03 February 1988 - 02 March 1988
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Remarks:
Test method according to OECD guideline 301 C. GLP study.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: OECD Guideline 301 C (Ready Biodegradability: Modified MITI Test (I))
Deviations:
not specified
GLP compliance:
yes
Analytical monitoring:
yes
Details on sampling:
- Concentrations: 100 mg/L



Vehicle:
no
Test organisms (species):
activated sludge
Details on inoculum:
- Initial biomass concentration: 30 mg/L SS
Test type:
static
Water media type:
freshwater
Limit test:
yes
Total exposure duration:
28 d
Nominal and measured concentrations:
100 mg/L (nominal)
Details on test conditions:
TEST SYSTEM
- Sludge concentration (weight of dry solids per volume): 30 mg/L.
- Nitrification inhibitor used (delete if not applicable): none.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: no.

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable): Biodegradation % based on oxygen consumption.

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Test concentrations: 100 mg/L
Reference substance (positive control):
yes
Remarks:
(aniline)
Key result
Duration:
28 d
Dose descriptor:
NOEC
Effect conc.:
100 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
other: Readily biodegradability
Details on results:
The NOEC of the test item was determined to be 100 mg/L since the substance degrades well (94% of biodegradation at 28 days).
Results with reference substance (positive control):
- Results with reference substance valid: yes
Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Conclusions:
The NOEC (28d) for microorganism toxicity of the test item was determined to be 100 mg/L (based on biodegradation).
Executive summary:

A ready biodegradability test was perfomed according to OECD Guideline 301 C. The test item was incubated for 28 days at a concentration of 100 mg/L with 30 mg/L SS activated sludge inoculum under aerobic conditions in a mineral medium. The NOEC (28d) of the test item was determined to be 100 mg/L since the substance degraded well (94% of biodegradation at 28 days).


Description of key information

Key study: Test method according to OECD 209. GLP study: The EC50 was determined to be greater than 10 mg/L as no inhibition was observed for the dissolved part.

Supporting studies: Data on toxicity to microorganisms of the some substance's constituents are available from experimental data:

Dipentene: Test method OECD Guideline 301C (MITI Japan, 1980). The NOEC (14d) was determined to be 100 mg/L (based on no inhibitory effect observed, readily biodegradable substance).

Gamma terpinene: Test method OECD Guideline 301C (MITI Japan, 1988). The NOEC (28d) was determined to be 100 mg/L (based on no inhibitory effect observed, readily biodegradable substance).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:
10 mg/L

Additional information

Key study: The study of activated sludge respiration inhibition was carried out according with OECD Guideline 209, using activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant treating predominantly domestic sewage. The inhibition of three different oxygen uptakes was determined, total, heterotrophic only and due to nitrification. The microbial inoculum was a preparation of activated sludge adjusted to 1.5 g suspended solids per litre in the test vessels. The respiration rates of samples of activated sludge fed with synthetic sewage was measured in an enclosed cell containing an oxygen electrode after a contact time (incubation) of 3 hours. Five concentrations of the test substance (0.17, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 mg/L) were tested versus blank controls. As positive control substance 3,5-dichlorophenol was used and it was tested in five concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 mg/L). All the validity criteria were found to lie in the ranges allowed. The test substance was found to have a toxic effect on the oxidation of ammonium (nitrification) but not on heterotrophic oxidation (biodegradation). Quite the opposite, the heterotrophic respiration was stimulated (probably hormesis  phenomenon), achieving about 5% of stimulation for test item content greater than 10 mg/L. It was not possible to experimentally obtain the EC50 values with the test item due to limited water solubility. However, the EC50 was expected to be greater than 10 mg/L as no inhibition was observed for the dissolved part of test substance.

Supporting studies: Data on toxicity to microorganisms of the some substance's constituents are available from experimental data:

Dipentene: Test method OECD Guideline 301C (MITI Japan, 1980). The NOEC (14d) was determined to be 100 mg/L (based on no inhibitory effect observed, readily biodegradable substance).

Gamma terpinene: Test method OECD Guideline 301C (MITI Japan, 1988). The NOEC (28d) was determined to be 100 mg/L (based on no inhibitory effect observed, readily biodegradable substance).