Hydrocarbons, C9-C12, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, aromatics (2-25%)

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Sept. 6, 1996-Dec. 9, 1996

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Guideline study.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

Two dissolved oxygen readings were outside the guideline limit. During acclimation, 49 hourly temperature readings were marginally lower than the preferred range of 13-17 degree C. These deviations had no effects on results.

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

- Concentrations: all concentrations
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: If samples could not be analysed the day they were taken, they were stored at 4°C and extracted at the earliest opportunity. Samples were stable for up to 7 days.

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: Test substance was added to measured volumes of test medium. The vessels were then sealed, leaving a small headspace, and the contents stirred with a 1-2 cm vortex depth until the aqueous and test substance phases equilibrated (21-22 hrs). The vessels were then allowed to settle for 1.5-2.5 hrs and the aqueous phase drawn off for use in the test as a Water Accomodated Fraction (WAF). The control medium was treated in the same manner.

Test organisms (species):

Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Strain: Walbaum
- Source: Brow Well Fisheries, Hebden, Yorkshire
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 4.3-4.4 cm
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): 0.68-0.85 g

ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: 9 days
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): minimum of 7 days at test conditions
- Type and amount of food: Mainstream Trout Food No. 03 (BP Nutrition Ltd.)
- Feeding frequency: maintainence ration
- Health during acclimation (any mortality observed): If mortality is more than 5% in the 7 days preceeding a study, the fish are not used.

Test type:

semi-static

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Post exposure observation period:

none

Hardness:

146-170 mg/l CaCO3

Test temperature:

14.9-16.4°C

pH:

7.4-7.6

Dissolved oxygen:

6.1-9.6

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal loading rate: 0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100 mg/l
Measured: <0.05, 0.05, 0.16, 0.33, 1.2, 2.9. 5.1 (single measure) mg/l

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: sealed with a glass plate
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: 1 l glass bottles completely filled with test substance
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): fresh test media was added after every observation
- No. of organisms per vessel: 7
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 1

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: 500 ft deep Stanlow Well Number 7 treated by softening ion exchange followed by filtration through a twin bed active carbon filter. Water is further filtered after entering the laboratory.
- Intervals of water quality measurement: six months


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : Observations for mortality and toxic signs were made at 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs.

Key result

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LL50

Effect conc.:

10 - 30 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Key result

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOELR

Effect conc.:

0.3 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

24 h

Dose descriptor:

LL50

Effect conc.:

30 - 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LL50

Effect conc.:

10 - 30 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

LL50

Effect conc.:

10 - 30 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Details on results:

- Behavioural abnormalities: Yes, some fish at the 10 mg/l concentration showed symptoms of toxicity at the 24 hr observation such as increased cough frequency, hyperventalism, color changes, and swimming abnormally which continued throughout the test. Some fish in the 30 mg/l group displayed abnormal swimming at the 3 and 24 hr observations. At the 48 hr observation all fish in this group were dead. All fish in the 100 mg/l group showed the above symptoms at the 3 hr observation. By the 24 hr observation, all fish in this group were dead except for 1 fish which was dead at the 48 hr observation.

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

Mortality of O. mykiss

Loading Rate (mg/l)	3 hrs	24 hrs	48 hrs	72 hrs	96 hrs
0	0	0	0	0	0
0.3	0	0	0	0	0
1	0	0	1	1	3
3	0	1	3	3	3
10	0	1	1	1	1
30	0	2	7	7	7
100	0	6	7	7	7

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The 96-hr LL50 range for Oncorhynchus mykiss was 10-30 mg/l (WAF).

Executive summary:

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of white spirits to the fish Oncorhynchus mykiss. Groups of 7 fish were exposed to WAF loading rates of 0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/l of test substance for 96 -hrs. The test solutions were renewed daily. Fish were observed at 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs after start of exposure for mortality and toxic effects. There was some mortality of fish in the 1, 3, and 10 mg/l groups. There was mortality of all animals in the 30 -100 mg/l groups. Behavioural abnormalties were seen at concentrations of 10 mg/l and above. The 96-hr LL50 range for Oncorhynchus mykiss was 10-30 mg/l (WAF). 

Description of key information

There data available for this substance. Key information is summarized below

Hydrocarbons C9-C12, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, aromatics (2-25%) presented a 96-hr LL50 range for Oncorhynchus mykiss of 10-30 mg/l (based on water accommodated fractions).  

Additional information

One study report was available and input as an endpoint record for short term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates.

The study from Shell (1997) examined the acute toxicity of white spirits (Hydrocarbons, C9-C12, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, aromatics (2-25%)) to the fish Oncorhynchus mykiss. Groups of 7 fish were exposed to WAF loading rates of 0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/l of test substance for 96 -hrs. The test solutions were renewed daily. Fish were observed at 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs after start of exposure for mortality and toxic effects. There was some mortality of fish in the 1, 3, and 10 mg/l groups. There was mortality of all animals in the 30 -100 mg/l groups. Behavioural abnormalties were seen at concentrations of 10 mg/l and above. The 96-hr LL50 range for Oncorhynchus mykiss was 10-30 mg/l (WAF).