1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide

Toxicity to microorganisms

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

activated sludge respiration inhibition testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

18-11-2011 -22-11-2011

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study performed under GLP according the guideline meeting all validity criteria

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

minor deviation

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The average oxygen uptake rate for the control replicates was slightly lower than prescribed in the guideline

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage

Details on inoculum:

Unadapted secondary activated sludge was obtained (21-11-2011) from the WWTP Nieuwgraaf in Duiven. The WWTP Duiven is an activated sludge plant treating predominantly domestic wastewater. Prior to use the activated sludge was homogenized with a syringe. The dry weight of the homogenized activated sludge was determined and subsequently concentrated by settlement to the required dry weight concentration. The dry weight of the activated sludge in the incubation vessels was 1.5 g/L.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

3 h

Test temperature:

Temperature of the reaction mixtures after the incubation period ranged from 20.1 to 20.8°C.

pH:

The pH of the reaction mixtures after the incubation period ranged from 7.0 to 7.3.

Dissolved oxygen:

aerobic during test

Nominal and measured concentrations:

The nominal concentrations of 3,5-Dichlorophenol tested were: 1.3, 2.5, 5.1, 10.2, 20.3 and 40.6 mg/L
The nominal concentrations of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide tested were: 18, 36, 80, 158, 318, 642 and 1280 mg/L.

Details on test conditions:

Test conditions:
The test was performed in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks closed with Teflon coated lids, with working volumes of 50 ml. The homogenized activated sludge was incubated in a shaking water bath (100 rpm, 20°C) for 3 hours with various concentrations of the test compound and synthetic sewage.

Synthetic sewage feed and stocks:
The synthetic sewage feed was made by dissolving the following amounts of substances in 1 liter of deionized water:
16 g peptone,
11 g meat extract,
3 g urea,
0.7 g NaCl,
0.3 g CaCl2,
0.2 g MgSO4.7H2O,
2.8 g K2HPO4.
In the incubation vessels 1.6 mL of the synthetic sewage feed is added in a total volume of 50 mL.

1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide was weighed directly in the incubation vessels which was closed with a Teflon coated lid 3,5-Dichlorophenol was added to the incubation vessels using a stock solution of approximately 1.0 g/L. The stock solution of 3,5-dichlorophenol was prepared by dissolving 0.1046 g 3,5-dichlorophenol in approximately 40 mL of deionized water with the addition of a few drops of 3 M NaOH.
Finally the pH was corrected with H2SO4 to approximately pH 7 and the solution was diluted further to 100 mL with deionized water.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

3,5-dichlorophenol

Key result

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

138 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Remarks on result:

other: 95% confidence limits of 53 mg/L and 327 mg/L

Details on results:

Test conditions
The pH of the reaction mixtures after the incubation period ranged from 7.0 to 7.3. Temperature varied from 20.1 to 20.8°C. These conditions allow respirationof the activated sludge used

Validity of the test
The reference substance and test substance were measured on two subsequent days. The validity of the test is demonstrated by three criteria. First, the coefficient of variation of the replicates of the control oxygen uptake rates was 2% on the first day and 3% on the second day, which fulfils the maximum prescribed variation of <30%. Secondly, the EC50 of the reference compound was 8 mg/L which is within the prescribed range of 2 to 25 mg/L (Table I and Figure 1). The third criterion, an oxygen uptake rate of >20 mg O2/g dry weight/hour for the control measurements, was not achieved on the first day (15 mg O2/g dry weight/hour) and was met on the second day (26 mg O2/g dry weight/hour). The inoculum used, was obtained from a treatment plant which is operated at a low organic sludge load and therefore has a natural lower oxygen uptake rate. According the guideline activated sludge used should be fed with synthetic sewage feed, for a maximum of two additional days, when used after the day of collection. Adding synthetic sewage feed leads to an increase of the oxygen uptake rate of the activated sludge, but does not affect the sensitivity of the activated sludge significantly (AkzoNobel, 2012). Accurate oxygen uptake rate measurements were very well possible, with the slightly lower oxygen uptake rate on the first day, as shown by the very low coefficient of variation. Therefore this is a minor deviation which does not invalidate the test.

Activated sludge respiration inhibition test
The calculated respiration rates and inhibition percentages of 1,1,3,3- tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide are presented in Table II and the results of the graphical probit analysis are shown in Figure 2. The inhibitory effect of 1,1,3,3- tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide at a particular concentration is expressed as a percentage of the two controls. From the results EC values were calculated. The EC50 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 138 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 53 and 327 mg/L. The EC10 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 33 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 4 and 78 mg/L. The EC20 and EC80 are 54 and 349 mg/L, respectively.
1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide is therefore considered harmless to activated sludge.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

The EC50 of the reference compound (3,5-dichlorophenol) was 8 mg/L which is within the prescribed range of 2 to 25 mg/L

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Remarks:

see details on results

Conclusions:

The reference substance and test substance were measured on two subsequent days. The test is valid as shown by the EC50 of the reference compound, 3,5-dichlorophenol (8 mg/L), the coefficient of variation of the replicates of the control oxygen uptake rates (2% on first day and 3% on second day) and the average oxygen uptake rate for the control replicates of 15 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the first day and 26 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the second day.
The oxygen uptake rate on the first day is slightly lower than prescribed. Accurate oxygen uptake rate measurements were very well possible as shown by the very low coefficient of variation. Therefore this is a minor deviation which does not invalidate the test.
The toxicity of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide to activated sludge was determined at a contact time of 3 hours, using various concentrations of the test substance. The inhibitory effect of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide at a particular concentration is expressed as a percentage of the two controls. The EC50 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 138 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 53 and 327 mg/L. The EC10 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 33 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 4
and 78 mg/L. The EC20 and EC80 are 54 and 349 mg/L, respectively. 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbuty hydroperoxide is therefore considered harmless to activated sludge.

Executive summary:

In order to predict effects of chemicals in the environment and in biological waste water treatment plants, an activated sludge respiration inhibition test was performed. The toxicity to activated sludge was determined in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 209, and in compliance with the OECD principles of Good Laboratory Practice. The reference substance and test substance were measured on two subsequent days. The test is valid as shown by the EC50 of the reference compound, 3,5- dichlorophenol (8 mg/L), the coefficient of variation of the replicates of the control oxygen uptake rates (2% on first day and 3% on second day) and the average oxygen uptake rate for the control replicates of 15 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the first day and 26 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the second day. The oxygen uptake rate on the first day is slightly lower than prescribed. Accurate oxygen uptake rate measurements were very well possible as shown by the very low coefficient of variation. Therefore this is a minor deviation which does not invalidate the test. The toxicity of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide to activated sludge was determined at a contact time of 3 hours, using various concentrations of the test substance. The inhibitory effect of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide at a particular concentration is expressed as a percentage of the two controls. The EC50 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 138 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 53 and 327 mg/L. The EC10 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 33 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 4 and 78 mg/L. The EC20 and EC80 are 54 and 349 mg/L, respectively. 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide is therefore considered harmless to activated sludge.

Description of key information

One OECD 209 study is available where the 3h  EC50 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide is 138 mg/Land the EC10  is 33 mg/L 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:

138 mg/L

EC10 or NOEC for microorganisms:

33 mg/L

Additional information

One OECD 209 study is available. The EC50 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 138 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 53 and 327 mg/L. The EC10 of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 33 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 4 and 78 mg/L.