Flue dust, copper-refining

Water solubility

Administrative data

Endpoint:

water solubility

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: no GLP but other Quality assurance

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to other study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2010

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 105 (Water Solubility)

GLP compliance:

no

Remarks:

other quality assurance

Type of method:

flask method

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Flue dust, copper-refining

EC Number:

266-966-2

EC Name:

Flue dust, copper-refining

Cas Number:

67711-90-4

IUPAC Name:

flue dust, copper refining

Details on test material:

The studied flue dust samples are fine- grained, the D50 value is for all samples below 20µm. They contain 9.18- 51.0% lead, 0.52- 9.58% copper, 6.3- 43.9% zinc, 0.09- 2.8% arsenic, and 1.15- 14.7% sulfur (see iuclid 4.23)
B11 flue dust from Secondary smelters (representative), sample code: MC_B11_522_xxx_0904, lab code: 09TT03192
B11 flue dust from primary smelter (blast furnace) (dried filtered slime, homogenised), sample code: KGHM_B11_006_0904, lab code: 09TT03514
B11 flue dust from primary smelter (electric furnace) (composite, from one silo), sample code: KGHM_B11_005_0904, lab code: 09TT03513

Results and discussion

Water solubility

Water solubility:

<= 3 mg/L

Conc. based on:

element (dissolved fraction)

Temp.:

20 °C

pH:

>= 5.2 - <= 5.7

Remarks on result:

other: Result for Copper. See full table below for all elements.

Details on results:

Representative samples did not indicate any solubility in preliminary tests.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Table5: Average water solubility calculated from the 16 and 26 days shaking tests.

	Sample code	09TT03192	09TT03513	09TT03514
		Average or range	Average or range	Average or range
pH		5.20-5.76	12.18-12.21	3.59-3.76
ICP Ag	mg/l	<1	<1	-
ICP Al	mg/l	0.4	<0.2	2.7
ICP As	mg/l	<0.2	0.9	113
ICP Ba	mg/l	<0.2	-	-
ICP Ca	mg/l	-	55	<0.2
ICP Cd	mg/l	609	<0.1	0.6
ICP Co	mg/l	0.4	<0.1	0.2
ICP Cr	mg/l	<0.1	<0.1	<0.1
ICP Cu	mg/l	3.0	<0.2	<0.2
ICP Fe	mg/l	<0.1	<0.2	8.9
ICP K	mg/l	-	2133	346
ICP Mg	mg/l	5.2	<0.2	8.4
ICP Mn	mg/l	1.5	<0.1	-
ICP Mo	mg/l	<0.2	-	<0.1
ICP Na	mg/l	273	247	121
ICP Ni	mg/l	16	<0.2	<0.2
ICP P	mg/l	-	-	<0.5
ICP Pb	mg/l	9	174	80
ICP S	mg/l	53	687	61
ICP Sb	mg/l	<0.2	<0.2	<0.2
ICP Se	mg/l	<0.2	-	<0.2
ICP Sn	mg/l	<0.2	<0.2	<0.2
ICP Ti	mg/l	-	-	<0.2
ICP Zn	mg/l	2173	2	25

The preliminary test did not indicate any solubility for the studied samples. Approximately 5 g sample and 100 ml water were taken to each test. Specific weighed amounts are given in Appendices A-C.

The shaking time was for Flue dust 09TT03192 14-16 days and for both Flue dusts 09TT03513 and 09TT0351424-26 days. After that, each sample was equilibrated for 24 h time. Table5 presents measured pH range and average metal concentrations for the samples. The solubility properties of the samples differed from each other. Substances with solubility <10 mg/l are considered low soluble and those with solubility <1 mg/l are considered poorly soluble.

Much of Zn and Cd were dissolved from Flue dust 09TT03192. High concentrations of Pb, S, Na, Ca and K were found to have dissolved from the sample 09TT03513. High concentrations of As, K, Na. Pb, S and Zn were found to have dissolved from the sample 09TT03514. The flue dust samples were visually checked using Tyndall method after centrifugation; the solutions were not filtered after centrifugation. The standard method involves three tests, which is not enough for a statistical analysis.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Interpretation of results (migrated information): other: insoluble in preliminary test
Preliminary test did not indicate any solubility of the substance. Flask method test was performed on representative sample of the UVCB, a complex metal containing substance. Validity of the reported results confirmed by Harlan Lab (V. Gretton, 2010)

Executive summary:

Classic definition of solubility does not apply to the UVCB, who is a complex metal containing substance. The usually accepted meaning in that case is (according to ECHA Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment Chapter R.7a) " the composition of the aqueous solution formed at equilibrium under a defined set of conditions". Temperature and the amount of substance added per unit volume of water (i.e. the loading) are the main factors to consider. It was not always possible to establish equilibrium of all components; therefore, time and type of agitation of the vessels have been described. Aqueous solubility was reported in mg/l.

For this UVCB, preliminary result demonstrated that substance is poorly soluble in water. Major results from the additional flask test were: with a loading of 5g/100ml, and shaking over 16 or 24 days, main constituents showed poor solubility, with the exception of K, Ca, Mg and S (high), as well as Cd, As, Pb, Zn and Ni (low to high).

Under these conditions, the report acknwoledges that stated solubilities may be higher than reality for some samples (e.g. due to abrasion, difficult to remove tiny undissolved particles, etc).

The reported results from OECD 105 are therefore indicative for the behaviour of the UVCB in water. For the purpose of assessing environmental fate and behaviour of this difficult to test complex metal containing substance, Transformation/dissolution test would however be more appropriate.