Benzenesulfonic acid, C10-13-alkyl derivs., sodium salts

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation testing, other

Remarks:

sediment toxicity

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The bioassay was run according to established scientific methods. Radiolabeled LAS tracer in an LAS mixture with an average chain length of 11.4 carbons was used in a 28-d Lumbriculus (oligochaete) sediment exposure assay with sediment spiked from 50-600 mg LAS/kg dry weight sediment.

GLP compliance:

yes

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Test material is a radiolabeled LAS tracer in an LAS mixture with an average chain length of 11.4 carbons (Proctor & Gamble). 14C-LAS radio tracer was spiked into the sediment along with non-labelled LAS. The 14C-labelled LAS used for the Lumbriculus test was 3-dodecylbenzene sulphonate (3-DOBS 95% purity, specific activity of 2,686,200 Bq/mg) with the 14C-labelled carbon atom included in the benzene ring. The non-labelled LAS compound was a mix of internal and external isomers and alkyl chains, with an average alkyl chain length of 11.4 carbon atoms (Nansa HS 80 S, provided by Unilever).

Radiolabelling:

yes

Remarks:

14C-labelled carbon atom included in the benzene ring

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

other: Distilled water with natural and artificial sediments

Details on source and properties of sediment:

The natural uncontaminated sediment used for the study was collected on 21th of November 1997 from the ARC Study Centre, Wolverton Road, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, UK. It contained 44% sand, 48% silt and 8% clay, with a total organic carbon content of 1.7% and a cation exchange capacity of 104.5 +/- 6.7 meq/kg (n ¼ 6) and the pore water dissolved organic carbon concentration was 28 +/- 1.3 mg/l (n = 20). The sediment particle size ranged from 0 to 500 mm with the bulk of the particles being less than 63 mm (68%). The wet sediment contained 51 +/- 2% by mass of water (n = 6).
As the natural sediment that was used for the Lumbriculus assay was not available for the nematode assay, an artificial sediment, matching the grain size and organic content of the natural sediment was used. The artificial sediment consisted of the following components: quartz sand (Millisil W4, Quarzsandwerke GmbH, Frechen, Germany), calzitic sand (Pitti Heimtierprodukte, Recklinghausen, Germany), kaolin (Sigma-Aldrich, Taufkirchen, Germany), Dolomite 5T (Carl Ja¨ger Tonindustriebedarf GmbH, Hilgert, Germany), Humus (Sphagnum peat; Terra Plant Service, Wiefelstede, Germany), Fe2O3 (Sigma-Aldrich, Taufkirchen, Germany), Al2O3 (Sigma-Aldrich, Taufkirchen, Germany). The dry sediment was mixed with M9-medium (6 g/l Na2HPO4, 3 g/l KH2PO4, 5 g/l NaCl, 0.25 g/l MgSO4$7H2O, and 5 mg/l cholesterol) yielding an overall dry weight of 60%. The artificial sediment was characterized by (as dry weight) 44% sand, 48% silt, 8% clay, with 2% organic matter.

Duration of test (contact time):

28 d

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

radiochem. meas.

Details on study design:

A 28 day chronic study was conducted using sediment spiked with radiolabelled material. The test species, Lumbriculus variegatus, is a true sediment feeder (i.e., subsurface ingestion of sediment particles). The nominal concentrations were 50, 75, 100, 150, 300, 600 mg/kg/dry weight and controls. The test sediment contained 44% sand, 48% silt, and 8% clay. Twenty grams (wet weight) of the prepared sediment was added to clean 60 mL glass vessels followed by 30 mL of groundwater drawn from an aquifer. After 24 hours of equilibration, 10 mature Lumbriculus (ca. 15 mm in length, 8 mg dry weight) were added to each vessel. Vessels were aerated for 5 minutes every day and the overlying water replenished with distilled water every two days. Each test concentration was replicated 6 times. LAS concentrations were measured at 0 and 28 days. After 28 days the sediment was removed and all live worms counted, blotted dry, and wet weighed prior to air drying for 48 hours to a constant dry weight. Toxicity endpoints included survival, reproduction and biomass. The mode of reproduction (architomy) necessitates the treatment of survival and reproduction as a single endpoint, i.e., number of organisms at test termination.

Compartment:

entire system

DT50:

>= 17.5 - <= 22.6 d

Temp.:

22 °C

Details on results:

There was a loss of between 15 and 78% of the LAS radioactivity over the duration of the test, which was attributed to mineralization of LAS by the worms and microorganisms present in the sediment (biodegradation). Results are therefore based on the average of day 0 and day 28 measured sediment concentrations.

Executive summary:

Biodegradation of LAS in sediments has been reported in a study conducted using a radiolabeled LAS tracer in an LAS mixture with an average chain length of 11.4 carbons. A 28-d Lumbriculus (oligochaete) sediment exposure assay with sediment spiked from 50-600 mg LAS/kg dry weight sediment resulted in LAS half lives in sediment of 17.5 - 22.6 days.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: simulation testing on ultimate degradation in surface water

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is readily biodegradable

Reference 3

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: sediment simulation testing

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is readily biodegradable

Reference 4

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: sediment simulation testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study without detailed documentation

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 308 (Aerobic and Anaerobic Transformation in Aquatic Sediment Systems)

Deviations:

not specified

GLP compliance:

not specified

Radiolabelling:

no

Oxygen conditions:

anaerobic

Inoculum or test system:

other:

Remarks:

freshwater and marine water and sediment

Details on source and properties of sediment:

Location, texture, organic carbon content, and LAS concentration for freshwater and marine sediment samples are provided in Table 1 and Table 2 in 'Any other information on materials and methods incl. tables'

- Details on collection: Cadiz region (SW Spain): Charco Redondo; A freshwater reservoir located deep into a protected area (Los Alcornocales Natural Park).

- Details on collection: Cadiz region (SW Spain): Cadiz Bay; A semi-enclosed seawater body that consists in two different areas. There are several beaches in the external area, which is affected by discharges from Guadalete River.

- Collecting depth and stations: Sediments cores (0 – 60 cm) were collected at 30 sampling stations in Charco Redondo and Cadiz Bay. Sediment core sections between 10 and 25 cm depth were selected to carry out the degradation experiments

- Transportation: These sediment were kept sealed and in vertical position during transportation. Water above the sediment was collected using 2.5 L amber glass bottles.

- Storage: All samples were stored at 4 °C after sampling until processed in the lab.

- Sediment samples sieved: Yes; through 0.063mm sieves

Duration of test (contact time):

160 d

Initial conc.:

10 mg/L

Based on:

test mat.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

test mat. analysis

Details on study design:

TEST CONDITIONS
- Test temperature: 25 °C
- Continuous darkness: Yes

TEST SYSTEM
Four different experiments were carried out: Details see 'Any other information on materials and methods incl. tables'
- Culturing apparatus: Glass reactors (320 mL each)
- Number of culture flasks/experiment: 24
- Method used to create anaerobic conditions: Nitrogen bubbling. Both matrices were manipulated inside an anaerobic chamber containing nitrogen.
- Water and sediment ratio: Each reactor was filled with water and sediment (following a 3:1 ratio, 70 mL of wet sediment and 240 mL of water, leaving a headspace of 10 mL filled with nitrogen.
- Acclimation period: 1 week
- Test performed in closed vessels: Yes; tightly sealed

SAMPLING
- Sampling frequency: 8 different intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 160 days)

Remarks on result:

not measured/tested

% Degr.:

63

Parameter:

test mat. analysis

Sampling time:

160 d

Remarks on result:

other: experiment 1

% Degr.:

< 10

Parameter:

test mat. analysis

Sampling time:

160 d

Remarks on result:

other: experiment 2

% Degr.:

< 10

Parameter:

test mat. analysis

Sampling time:

160 d

Remarks on result:

other: experiment 3

% Degr.:

< 10

Parameter:

test mat. analysis

Sampling time:

160 d

Remarks on result:

other: experiment 4

Compartment:

natural water / sediment: marine

DT50:

150 d

Type:

(pseudo-)first order (= half-life)

Temp.:

25 °C

Remarks on result:

other: Marine sediment: 87% sand with 0.5% organic carbon content

Transformation products:

not specified

Remarks:

SPC

Evaporation of parent compound:

not specified

Volatile metabolites:

not specified

Residues:

not specified

Details on results:

- Partition coefficients (Kd): The sediments with lower organic carbon content (< 1%) and higher sand percentage (> 75%) showed lower Kd values, in a range of 25 – 30 L/g for C10 LAS and 353 – 426 L/g for C13 LAS. The sediment with 45% sand showed a Kd value between 43 and 717 L/g (depending on the homologue). For the sediments that were characterized by very low sand percentage (7%) and high organic carbon content (> 4%), the Kd value was highest; 254 – 4304 L/g.

- Total LAS concentration: In experiment 1, LAS concentrations was decreased in both aqueous and particulate phases over time (73% and 57%, respectively). For experiment 2, LAS concentrations in water and sediment were 115 ± 45 and 25.1 ± 0.3 μg/g at the beginning of the test, and 75 ± 9 and 17.9 ± 4.2 μg/g at the end of the experiment, respectively. During the study, the decrease of LAS concentrations in the aqueous phase were 55% in experiment 3 and 79% in experiment 4. However, no such decrease was observed in the sediment phase.

- The DT50 was determined to be 150 days in this marine sandy sediment. The disappearance of LAS was accompanied by formation of LAS degradation metabolites sulfophenyl carboxylic acids (SPCs).

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

In an anaerobic biodegradation study in water and sediment, the DT50 of LAS was determined to be 150 days. The main degradation intermediates in marine sediments were sulfophenyl carboxylic acids (SPCs).

Executive summary:

The biodegradation of Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) in water and sediment was studied in a anaerobic condition. The study was performed according to OECD TG 308, but without specification if GLP criteria were met. Four different classes of sediments (two freshwater and two marine water) were collected from non-polluted areas and used in four experiments:

Experiment 1: marine sandy sediment (87% sand) with low organic carbon content (0.5%)

Experiment 2: marine muddy sediment (6% sand) with high organic carbon content (5.0%)

Experiment 3: freshwater sandy sediment (88% sand) with low organic carbon content (0.5%)

Experiment 4: freshwater muddy sediment (45% sand) with high organic carbon content (3.7%) 

The experiments were carried out in Glass reactors (320 mL each), which were filled with water and sediment (following a 3:1 ratio, 70 mL of wet sediment and 240 mL of water. After an acclimation period (1 week), these reactors were opened, spiked to 10 mg/L of LAS and then tightly sealed again and kept at 25˚C, in darkness for 160 days. At 8 different intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 160 days), two reactors per experiment were taken for analysing the concentrations of LAS and identifying their degradation metabolites in both water and sediment phases. The concentrations of LAS and possible degradation metabolites in sediment and water phases were monitored by high resolution mass spectrometry.

Depending on the sediment type, LAS biodegradation is a range of 0 - 63%. The speed of the biodegradation was minimal in non-polluted marine sediments with high organic carbon content (5%) and fine texture (94% of silt+clay) (experiment 2), and in freshwater sediments (experiments 3 and 4). The highest biodegradation (63%) was found in marine sandy sediment (87% sand) with low organic carbon content (0.5%). The DT50 was determined to be 150 days in this marine sandy sediment. In addition, the disappearance of LAS was accompanied by formation of sulfophenyl carboxylic acids (SPCs). The large differences in degradation observed across the sediments tested were attributed to their physicochemical properties influencing LAS bioavailability and the heterogeneity of microbial communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference 5

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: sediment simulation testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 308 (Aerobic and Anaerobic Transformation in Aquatic Sediment Systems)

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

other: OECD 314

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Radiolabelling:

yes

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

natural sediment

Details on source and properties of sediment:

Sediment was collected from Lytle Creek located in Wilmington, Ohio. Surficial (top 2-3 cm) sediment and overlying water was collected using a plastic scoop at a site immediately below the Wilmington Wastewater Treatment Plant outfall. The plant services a population of about 17,000 and receives about 90% of its waste from domestic sources. The sediment was placed in plastic jars and kept on ice during transport, and then stored in a 4 ˚C cold room prior to the test. The sediment was characterized by the University of Wisconsin, Madison Soil & Plant Analysis Laboratory. The sediment type was sandy comprised of 95% sand, 2% silt, and 3% clay. Organic content was 2.1%, total nitrogen content was 0.02%, and pH was 7.9.

Duration of test (contact time):

148 d

Initial conc.:

1.5 other: mg/Kg dry weight

Based on:

act. ingr.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

CO2 evolution

test mat. analysis

other: Metabolites... (see attached file)

Details on study design:

OVERVIEW of EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The radiolabeled test substance was incubated with biotic and abiotic sediment samples under static conditions. The sediment for the abiotic treatment was autoclaved for 90 min and amended with mercuric chloride at 1 g/L to inhibit microbial activity. The test systems consisted of replicate 1 mL samples of sediment with 0.1 mL overlying water in test tubes, which were individually dosed with the test substance at a final added concentration of 4.1 mg/Kg dry weight.
Four replicate samples for the biotic treatment were prepared per sampling interval and all the biotic samples were incubated together in a sealed dessicator, which contained a 50 mL beaker containing 20 mL of 1.5 N KOH to trap any evolved 14CO2 in the headspace. In addition, the dessicator was continuously purged with CO2-free air to maintain aerobic conditions, and the effluent gas was passed through a gas trapping system consisting of one empty trap followed by three base traps containing 100 mL of 1.5 N KOH to recover any 14CO2 not collected by the internal trap. See the study report for diagrams of the test system and the analysis scheme.

TEST CONDITIONS
- Volume of test solution/treatment: 1 mL sediment with 0.1 mL overlying water
- Composition of medium: natural sediment, overlying water
- Additional substrate: no
- Solubilising agent: not used

TEST SYSTEM
- Culturing apparatus: test tubes
- Number of culture flasks/concentration: 4 at each time point
- Method used to create aerobic conditions: CO2-free air continuously pumped through test system
- Measuring equipment: see details on analytical methods
- Test performed in closed vessels: yes (CO2-free air purged through system to measure evolved 14CO2 in traps)
- Details of trap for CO2: see overview of experimental design above.

SAMPLING
- Sampling frequency: Biotic treament sampled after 15 min, and after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 14, 33, 92, and 148 days. The abiotic treatment was sampled less frequently.
- Sampling method: At each sampling, the dessicator was opened to change the internal base trap, and to recover sufficient samples for dissolved 14CO2, and for characterizing residual radioactivityf.
- Sample storage before analysis: not specified in study report

STATISTICAL METHODS: The parent loss and mineralization data were fit to a variety of first order decay and production equations using nonlinear regression. Regression analysis was performed using Jandel Table Curve 2D software (version 4.01).

Compartment:

other: sediment, material (mass) balance

% Recovery:

100

St. dev.:

0.3

% Degr.:

60.8

St. dev.:

0.3

Parameter:

CO2 evolution

Sampling time:

148 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic

% Degr.:

14.4

St. dev.:

0.7

Parameter:

other: associated with solids

Sampling time:

148 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic

% Degr.:

1.4

St. dev.:

0.6

Parameter:

other: metabolites

Sampling time:

148 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic

% Degr.:

24.5

St. dev.:

0.05

Parameter:

other: parent

Sampling time:

148 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic

Compartment:

sediment

DT50:

11.6 d

St. dev.:

1.5

Type:

other: first order

Remarks on result:

other: Mineralization; aerobic

Compartment:

sediment

DT50:

0.4 d

St. dev.:

0.1

Type:

other: two compartment first order model

Remarks on result:

other: Primary biodegradation; aerobic; compartment 1

Compartment:

sediment

DT50:

99 d

St. dev.:

4.2

Type:

other: two compartment first order model

Remarks on result:

other: Primary biodegradation; aerobic; compartment 2

Other kinetic parameters:

first order rate constant

Transformation products:

not specified

Remarks:

Unknown

Details on transformation products:

Metabolites were not identified, other than by position on RAD-TLC:
Rf 0.36 parent
Rf 0.57 metabolite

Evaporation of parent compound:

no

Volatile metabolites:

not measured

Residues:

yes

Details on results:

Primary degradation was best described by a two compartment first order model (r2 > 0.99). The process was biphasic with two pools (compartments) of material exhibiting different degradation rates. Pool A (compartment 1) presumably was readily bioavailable test material, in the aqueous phase. Pool B (compartment 2) presumably was less bioavailable test material, bound to solids (sorbed).
Amount in pool A: 42.2%
Amount in pool B: 64.8%
Mineralization (14CO2 production) was best described by a First Order Model (r2 > 0.99), indicating that parent and metabolites were equally bioavailable to undergo mineralization.
Mass balance of abiotic flasks was 110.6% (107.5% parent, 3.0% associated with solids).

Fate of C12-LAS (C12-linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) in Aerobic Sediment: Die-Away Study using Lytle Creek Sediment (study 68316)

Time (days)	Parent (Rf 0.36)	Non-Polar Metabolite (Rf 0.57)	Solids	CO2	Total Recovery
0.01	108.6	1.4	4.0	Not sampled	113.2
1	72.9	5.7	22.9	10.4	108.9
2	69.5	0.0	20.3	20.2	110.0
3	60.9	1.3	23.9	18.8	104.9
6	61.8	4.0	22.8	19.4	106.0
9	64.5	1.7	19.8	21.5	106.7
14	56.7	1.9	18.9	31.9	108.4
33	39.5	1.0	18.6	46.5	105.4
61	26.7	0.7	16.9	53.5	97.8
148	24.5	1.4	14.4	60.8	101.0
Abiotic (n=5)	107.5	ND	3.0	Not analyzed	110.6

% of dosed radioactivity recovered as parent, metabolites, associated with extracted solids, or mineralized to CO2 as a function of time in Lytle Creek aerobic sediment.

Sediment dosed with [14C-U-ring] C12 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

Standard deviations are available in the study report.

ND = not detected.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

C12LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) was aerobically biodegraded in sediment (Lytle Creek). After 148 days, 60.8% was mineralized, 14.4% was associated with solids, 1.4% was metabolites, and 24.5% remained as parent. The rate constants for primary biodegradation and mineralization were 1.5 day-1 and 0.06 day-1, respectively.

Executive summary:

The biodegradation of C12LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) in sediment was evaluated in an aerobic die-away study using sediment from Lytle Creek, Wilmington, Ohio. Radiolabeled test material (14C) was used in a test design that was similar to OECD 308 and OECD 314. The test material was added to the sediment at 1.5 mg/Kg dry weight. The die-away study continued for 148 days. The test material was comprised of C10 -C13 alkyl chainlengths with an average chainlength of 11.6.

C12 -LAS was aerobically biodegraded in sediment from Lytle Creek. After 148 days:

60.8% was mineralized,

14.4% was associated with solids,

24.5% remained as parent, and

1.4% was metabolites.

Primary degradation was best described by a two compartment first order model (r2 > 0.99). The process was biphasic with two pools of material exhibiting different degradation rates. Pool A was presumably the more readily bioavailable test material in the aqueous phase. Pool B was presumably the less bioavailable test material bound to solids (sorbed). The rate constants for primary degradation were:

1.5 day-1 (pool A)

0.007 day-1 (pool B)

Mineralization (14CO2 production) was best described by a First Order Model (r2 > 0.99), indicating that parent and metabolites were equally bioavailable to undergo mineralization. The rate constant for mineralization was 0.06 day-1.

Reference 6

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: sediment simulation testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 308 (Aerobic and Anaerobic Transformation in Aquatic Sediment Systems)

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

other: OECD 314

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Radiolabelling:

yes

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

natural sediment

Details on source and properties of sediment:

Sediment was collected from the Ohio River near Cincinnati, Ohio at approximately river mile 476-477. The sediment was collected using a dredge and the (top 2-3 cm layer of sediments was retained. The sediment was placed in plastic jars and kept on ice during transport, and then stored in a 4 C cold room prior to the test. The sediment was characterized by the University of Wisconsin, Madison Soil & Plant Analysis Laboratory. The sediment consisted of 55% sand, 36% silt, and 9% clay. Organic content was 2.4%, total nitrogen content was 0.1%, and pH was 7.6.

Duration of test (contact time):

92 d

Initial conc.:

1.5 other: mg/Kg dry weight

Based on:

act. ingr.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

CO2 evolution

test mat. analysis

other: Metabolites... (see attached file)

Details on study design:

OVERVIEW of EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The radiolabelled test substance was incubated with biotic and abiotic sediment samples under static conditions. The sediment for the abiotic treatment was autoclaved for 90 min and amended with mercuric chloride at 1 g/L to inhibit microbial activity. The test systems consisted of replicate 1 mL samples of sediment with 0.1 mL overlying water in test tubes, which were individually dosed with the test substance at a final added concentration of 4.1 mg/Kg dry weight.
Four replicate samples for the biotic treatment were prepared per sampling interval and all the biotic samples were incubated together in a sealed dessicator, which contained a 50 mL beaker containing 20 mL of 1.5 N KOH to trap any evolved 14CO2 in the headspace. In addition, the dessicator was continuously purged with CO2-free air to maintain aerobic conditions, and the effluent gas was passed through a gas trapping system consisting of one empty trap followed by three base traps containing 100 mL of 1.5 N KOH to recover any 14CO2 not collected by the internal trap. See the study report for diagrams of the test system and the analysis scheme.

TEST CONDITIONS
- Volume of test solution/treatment: 1 mL sediment with 0.1 mL overlying water
- Composition of medium: natural sediment, overlying water
- Additional substrate: no
- Solubilising agent: not used

TEST SYSTEM
- Culturing apparatus: test tubes
- Number of culture flasks/concentration: 4 at each time point
- Method used to create aerobic conditions: CO2-free air continuously pumped through test system
- Measuring equipment: see details on analytical methods
- Test performed in closed vessels: yes (CO2-free air purged through system to measure evolved 14CO2 in traps)
- Details of trap for CO2: see overview of experimental design above.

SAMPLING
- Sampling frequency: Biotic treatment sampled after 15 min, and after 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 15, 36, and 92 days. The abiotic treatment was sampled less frequently.
- Sampling method: At each sampling, the dessicator was opened to change the internal base trap, and to recover sufficient samples for dissolved 14CO2, and for characterizing residual radioactivityf.
- Sample storage before analysis: not specified in study report

STATISTICAL METHODS: The parent loss and mineralization data were fit to a variety of first order decay and production equations using nonlinear regression. Regression analysis was performed using Jandel Table Curve 2D software (version 4.01).

Compartment:

other: sediment, material (mass) balance

% Recovery:

75.8

St. dev.:

2

% Degr.:

42.1

St. dev.:

2.7

Parameter:

CO2 evolution

Sampling time:

92 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic; normalized to 100% mass balance.

% Degr.:

28.5

St. dev.:

3.7

Parameter:

other: associated with solids

Sampling time:

92 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic; normalized to 100% mass balance.

% Degr.:

0

Parameter:

other: metabolites

Sampling time:

92 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic

% Degr.:

29.8

St. dev.:

6.7

Parameter:

other: parent

Sampling time:

92 d

Remarks on result:

other: Mean of biotic flasks; aerobic; normalized to 100% mass balance.

Compartment:

sediment

DT50:

11.6 d

St. dev.:

1.9

Type:

other: first order

Remarks on result:

other: Mineralization; aerobic

Compartment:

sediment

DT50:

1.4 d

St. dev.:

0.2

Type:

other: two compartment first order model

Remarks on result:

other: Primary biodegradation; aerobic; compartment 1

Compartment:

sediment

DT50:

77 d

St. dev.:

0.001

Type:

other: two compartment first order model

Remarks on result:

other: Primary biodegradation; aerobic; compartment 2

Other kinetic parameters:

first order rate constant

Transformation products:

not specified

Remarks:

Non-polar metabolite

Details on transformation products:

Metabolites were not identified, other than by position on RAD-TLC:
Rf 0.45 parent
Rf 0.70 non-polar metabolite
Rf 0.90 non-polar metabolite

Evaporation of parent compound:

no

Volatile metabolites:

not measured

Residues:

yes

Details on results:

Primary degradation was best described by a two compartment first order model (r2 > 0.99). The process was biphasic with two pools (compartments) of material exhibiting different degradation rates. Pool A (compartment 1) presumably was readily bioavailable test material, in the aqueous phase. Pool B (compartment 2) presumably was less bioavailable test material, bound to solids (sorbed).
Amount in pool A: 49.3%
Amount in pool B: 9.9%
Mineralization (14CO2 production) was best described by a First Order Model (r2 > 0.99), indicating that parent and metabolites were equally bioavailable to undergo mineralization.
Mass balance of abiotic flasks was 105.8% (99.5% parent, 5.5% associated with solids).

Fate of C12-LAS (C12-linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) in Aerobic Sediment: Die-Away Study using Ohio River Sediment (study 68315)

Time (days)	Parent (Rf 0.45)	Non-Polar Metabolite (Rf 0.70)	Non-Polar Metabolite (Rf 0.90)	Solids	CO2	Total Recovery
0.01	91.2	1.4	2.6	6.6	1.2	102.7
1	60.1	0.8	1.6	22.8	5.9	91.2
2	64.8	0.9	2.4	24.6	7.9	100.5
3	60.7	0.9	1.5	24.1	9.0	96.1
7	58.0	0.4	1.3	25.8	10.0	95.5
10	45.6	0.0	0.9	28.7	11.7	86.9
15	31.4	4.7	0.0	23.7	19.1	78.8
36	36.7	0.0	0.0	23.9	27.9	88.4
92	22.6	0.0	0.0	21.6	31.6	75.8
Abiotic (n=10)	99.5	ND	ND	5.5	Not analyzed	105.8

% of dosed radioactivity recovered as parent, metabolites, associated with extracted solids, or mineralized to CO2 as a function of time in Ohio River aerobic sediment.

Sediment dosed with [14C-U-ring] C12 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

Standard deviations are available in the study report.

ND = not detected.

Biodegradation results in biotic flasks at 92 days were normalized to 100% mass balance as follows:

Mineralization: 31.6% to 42.1%

Solids: 21.5% to 28.5%

Metabolites: 0% to 0%

Parent: 22.6% to 29.8%

Mass Balance: 75.8% to 100%

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

C12LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) was aerobically biodegraded in sediment (Ohio River). After 92 days, 42.1% was mineralized, 28.5% was associated with solids, 0% was metabolites, and 29.8% remained as parent. The rate constants for primary biodegradation and mineralization were 0.5 day-1 and 0.06 day-1, respectively.

Executive summary:

The biodegradation of C12LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) in sediment was evaluated in an aerobic die-away study using sediment from the Ohio River, Cincinnati, Ohio. Radiolabeled test material (14C) was used in a test design that was similar to OECD 308 and OECD 314. The test material was added to the sediment at 1.5 mg/Kg dry weight. The die-away study continued for 92 days. The test material was comprised of C10 -C13 alkyl chainlengths with an average chainlength of 11.6.

C12 -LAS was aerobically biodegraded in sediment from the Ohio River. After 92 days (normalized to 100% mass balance):

42.1% was mineralized,

28.5% was associated with solids,

29.8% remained as parent, and

0% was metabolites.

Primary degradation was best described by a two compartment first order model (r2 > 0.99). The process was biphasic with two pools of material exhibiting different degradation rates. Pool A was presumably the more readily bioavailable test material in the aqueous phase. Pool B was presumably the less bioavailable test material bound to solids (sorbed). The rate constants for primary degradation were:

0.5 day-1 (pool A)

0.009 day-1 (pool B)

Mineralization (14CO2 production) was best described by a First Order Model (r2 > 0.99), indicating that parent and metabolites were equally bioavailable to undergo mineralization. The rate constant for mineralization was 0.06 day-1.

Description of key information

The test substance is readily biodegradable (ANON 2002). Therefore, the simulation tests of biodegradation in surface water and water-sediment are waived. Nevertheless, four available studies/publications were included in this endpoint and used as supporting studies.

A study by Comber et al. (2006) was conducted using a radiolabeled LAS tracer in an LAS mixture with an average chain length of 11.4 carbons. A 28-d Lumbriculus (oligochaete) sediment exposure assay with sediment spiked from 50 - 600 mg/kg dry weight sediment resulted in LAS half lives in sediment of 17.5 - 22.6 days.

An aerobic study (Itrich NR 2010) using radiolabelled LAS added to sediment from Lytle Creek, Wilmington, Ohio at 1.5 mg/kg dry weight.The process was biphasic, with two compartments of material exhibiting different degradation rates. The first compartment was presumed to be readily bioavailable test material in the aqueous phase. The second compartment was less bioavailable test material sorbed to solids.The calculated DT50 of LAS in sediment were0.4 days (primary biodegradation, compartment 1), 99 days (primary biodegradation, compartment 2), and 11.6 days (first order aerobic mineralization).

Intrich NR (2010) using the same methodology, but with sediment collected from the Ohio River near Cincinnati, Ohio, calculated DT50 of LAS in sediment were 1.4 days (primary biodegradation, compartment 1), 77 days (primary biodegradation, compartment 2), and 11.6 days (first order aerobic mineralization).

In an anaerobic study, LAS showed a high DT50 value, 150 days, in a marine water and sediment incubation study. This high biodegradation time is likely caused by the anaerobic condition of this study. Anaerobic condition is considered not representative of the real environmental condition. Thus, the result of this study was not used in further risk assessment or PBT assessment.