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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

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Description of key information

Triethanolamine is rapidly biodegraded and mineralized within a sediment-water test system.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Sediment

As key study regarding biodegradation of 2,2',2''-nitrilotriethanol in a sediment-water microcosm test performed by West et al. (1996) is identified. In a sediment-water microcosm-study with natural sediment and water samples a maximum biodegradation half-life of 0.6 days and a maximum mineralization half-life of 7.2 days was found, depending on the initial concentration of the test substance and the origin of the test water and sediment.

In a river-water microcosm-study with natural river water samples a maximum biodegradation half-life of 1.7 days and a maximum mineralization half-life of 1.9 days was found, depending on the initial concentration of the test substance and the origin of the test water and sediment.

Surface water

According to Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, Annex IX, Section 9.2.1.2, column 2, a simulation study on ultimate degradation in surface water does not need to be conducted if the substance is readily biodegradable. The substance is readily biodegradable  (see IUCLID Ch. 5.2.1). Therefore, no biodegradation studies in surface water will be provided.