Registration Dossier
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EC number: 231-635-3 | CAS number: 7664-41-7
Toxicity to soil microorganisms
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Ammonia is an intrinsic part of the nitrate cycle, Experimental data from the application of ammonium sulfate indicate that effects to bacteria on the molar range are likely caused by osmotic effects rather than to toxicity. However, due the test material, pH-effects are not considered in that study but might have an effect if ammonia is appiled directly.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Long-term EC10 or NOEC for soil microorganisms:
- 4 420 mg/kg soil dw
Additional information
In soil, nitrogen containing substances are converted by a variety of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi to ammonium (NH4+) by the process of ammonification or mineralization. Ammonium is then converted to nitrate. Nitrate is subsequently taken up and utilised by plants or returned to the atmosphere following denitrification; the metabolic reduction of nitrate into nitrogen or nitrous oxide (N2O) gas. The most likely fate of ammonium ions in soils is conversion to nitrates by nitrification.Experimental data from the application of ammonium sulfate indicate that effects to bacteria on the molar range are likely caused by osmotic effects rather than to toxicity. However, due the test material, pH-effects are not considered in that study.
The studied bacteria are highly resistant to ammonium. When growth was impaired upon addition of molar (NH4)2SO4 concentrations, this was not caused by an ammonium-specific effect but was due to an enhanced osmolarity or increased ionic strength of the medium. Therefore, it was concluded that ammonium is not detrimental to C. glutamicum and other bacteria even when present in molar concentrations.
The NOEC reported corresponds to 34 g NH3/L Assuming an average water holding capacity of 13% (typically 5- 40%) this would correspond to
0.13 L/kg dw * 34 g NH3/L = 4420 mg/kg dw.
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