Registration Dossier

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

Additional information

Silicon is inorganic substance and element which may undergo transformation processes in the environment. The speciation of the substance may be different if the environmental conditions change. Abiotic (non-biological) transformation of silicon can typically occur by physico-chemical processes such as oxidation and hydrolysis.

A thin layer of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2) is formed on the surface of silicon exposed to air, even at ambient temperatures. The surface composition of high grade silicon (Si 99.1 wt%) consists of oxidized silicon. The oxidised layer on the surface passivates silicon and makes handling of silicon safer. Non passivated silicon powder is highly reactive.