Sulfuric acid, mono-C8-14-alkyl esters, ammonium salts, compds. with triethanolamine

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

Readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria: 
96% after 28 days based on DOC removal (OECD 301 A)
92% after 30 days based on O2 consumption (OECD 301 D)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

Since no reliable biodegradability tests are available for C8-14AS NH4 & TEA (CAS 96690-74-3), in accordance to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 Annex XI, 1.5 a read-across to other structurally related category members was conducted. Read-across data from two C8-14 alkyl sulfates was applied: C8-14AS NH4 (CAS 90583-10-1) and C8-14AS TEA (CAS 85665-45-8).

One GLP ready biodegradation study is available for C8-14AS NH4 (CAS 90583-10-1; Richterich 1991). The composition of the test substance was: 12% of C8; 12% of C10; 53% of C12, 23% of C14. The test was performed according to OECD guideline 301 A. Domestic, non-adapted activated sludge obtained from a sewage treatment plant was used as inoculum and the initial concentration of the test substance was 10 mg/L as DOC. Based on DOC removal, biodegradation reached 82% after 7 days and 96% after 28 days. The substance is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria. Moreover, a non-GLP study on ready biodegradation of C8-14AS TEA (CAS 85665-45-8) is available (Richterich 2007). The composition of the substance was: 8.5% of C8; 8.5% of C10; 68% of C12, 25% of C14, 6% of C16. The test was performed according to the OECD guideline 301 D. The effluent from the sewage treatment plant treating domestic sewage was used as inoculum and the initial concentrations of the substance were 1 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L. After 30 days the biodegradation measured as O2 consumption reached 97% at the concentration of 1 mg/L and 92% at the concentration of 2.5 mg/L. C8-14AS TEA (CAS 85665-45-8) is considered as readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.

Due to structural and property similarities with the tested category member these results also apply to C8-14AS NH4 & TEA (CAS 96690-74-3). The composition of this substance based on the mean values of provided ranges is: 14.1% of C8; 14.1% of C10; 46.9% of C12, 24.9% of C14. It can therefore be concluded that the substance is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.