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Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Administrative data

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Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study without detailed documentation
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 301 E (Ready biodegradability: Modified OECD Screening Test)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
In order to maintain an optimal C:N:P ratio, ammonium concentration specified in the OECD procedure was tripled.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
other: The inoculum 0.05% effluent
Duration of test (contact time):
19 d
Initial conc.:
3 - 20 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
DOC removal
Details on study design:
TEST CONDITIONS
- Composition of medium: To maintain an optimal C:N:P ratio, the ammonium concentration specified in the OECD procedure was tripled. In addition, a trace metal and an essential vitamin solution was added to optimize the test conditions.

Reference substance:
not specified
Test performance:
No information given
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
100
Sampling time:
19 d
Results with reference substance:
Result with reference substance was not given
Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Interpretation of results:
readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
A ready biodegradation value of 100% in 19 days have been determined for Citric acid in a test conducted according to OECD 301E. The result is considered reliable.
Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: inherent biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study without detailed documentation
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 302 B (Inherent biodegradability: Zahn-Wellens/EMPA Test)
Deviations:
not specified
GLP compliance:
not specified
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
other: 1 g sludge/litre
Duration of test (contact time):
14 d
Initial conc.:
ca. 400 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
DOC removal
Reference substance:
not specified
Test performance:
No information given
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
85
Sampling time:
14 d
Details on results:
- A DOC removal of 85% citiric acid was obtained after 1 day
Results with reference substance:
No result given
Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Interpretation of results:
inherently biodegradable
Conclusions:
An inherent biodegradation value of 85% after 1 day in 14 days have been determined for Citric acid in a test conducted according to OECD 302B. The result is considered reliable.
Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study without detailed documentation
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 301 B (Ready Biodegradability: CO2 Evolution Test)
Deviations:
not specified
GLP compliance:
not specified
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
other: Effluents after acclimation
Duration of test (contact time):
28 d
Initial conc.:
10 mg/L
Based on:
test mat.
Details on study design:
-Details not stated
Reference substance:
not specified
Preliminary study:
-No dtail stated
Test performance:
- No detail stated
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (CO2 evolution)
Value:
97
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: 28 days test result is without preacclimation
Results with reference substance:
No detail stated
Validity criteria fulfilled:
not specified
Interpretation of results:
readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
A ready biodegradation value of 97% (CO2 evolution) has been determined for citric acid in a test conducted according to OECD 301B. The result is considered reliable.

Description of key information

Biodegradation in water:

OECD 301B (CO2 evolution test): 97% in 28 days

OECD 301E (Modified OECD screening test): 100% in 19 days

OECD 302B (Inherent biodegradability: Zahn-Wellens test): 85% in 14 days

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
readily biodegradable
Type of water:
freshwater

Additional information

Several biodegradation studies indicate that citric acid is easily biodegradable by sewage treatment bacteria. Therefore, it may be expected to be rapidly degraded both in sewage treatment plants and in natural water bodies.

Biodegradation rates of 100% in 19 days and 97% in 28 days for citric acid have been determined in reliable studies conducted according to appropriate test protocols; OECD 301E (DOC removal) and OECD 301B (CO2 evolution) respectively. Also, an inherent biodegradation rate of 85% in 14 days has been determined for citric acid according to OECD 302B. Although, full details are not available for the studies, the results are considered sufficient to indicate that citric acid is readily biodegradable.