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

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1982-09-17 To 1982-10-01

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Payne AG, Hall RH, 1979, in Aquatic Toxicology, ASTM, STP 667, pp. 171-180; and US EPA, 1978, The Selenastrum capricornutum Printz algal assay. Deviations, reliability, and validity will be evaluated using the USEPA OPPTS 850.5400 (1996) guideline.

Deviations:

no

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Not applicable

GLP compliance:

not specified

Remarks:

(pre-GLPs)

Analytical monitoring:

no

Details on sampling:

- Concentrations: Not available
- Sampling method: Not available
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: Not available

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION
- Method: A primary stock solution of X0235.01 was prepared by adding a weighed amount of test material to algal growth medium and other stock solutions were prepared by serial dilution. A growth medium control was conducted concurrently and contained no test material. All test concentrations, except 1,000 ppm, were prepared by pipeting 1 milliliter (m2) of the appropriate stock solution to each test flask. The 1,000 ppm test concentration was prepared by adding 50ml of primary stock solution to each test flask.
- Eluate: Not applicable
- Differential loading: Not applicable
- Controls: AAP medium
- Chemical name of vehicle (organic solvent, emulsifier or dispersant): Not applicable
- Concentration of vehicle in test medium (stock solution and final test solution(s) including control(s)): Not available
- Evidence of undissolved material (e.g. precipitate, surface film, etc): None

Test organisms (species):

Microcystis aeruginosa

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Green algae
- Strain: Not available
- Source (laboratory, culture collection): University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Age of inoculum (at test initiation): Not available
- Method of cultivation:


ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: Not available
- Culturing media and conditions (same as test or not): Same as test
- Any deformed or abnormal cells observed: Not available

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

120 h

Remarks on exposure duration:

96 hour results reported here

Post exposure observation period:

Yes (9 days)

Hardness:

Not available

Test temperature:

Static bioassays were conducted at 24 ± 1 °C in water bath

pH:

Not available

Dissolved oxygen:

Not available

Salinity:

Not applicable

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal laboratory exposure concentrations based on active ingredient were control, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1,000mg/L
No measurements of test concentrations.

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): open / closed: Not available
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: Test containers were 125-ml flasks with 50 ml of test medium
- Aeration: Not available
- Type of flow-through (e.g. peristaltic or proportional diluter): Not applicable
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): Not available
- Initial cells density: 1x10(5) cells/ml
- Control end cells density: 18.5x10(5) cells/ml
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 3
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 3


GROWTH MEDIUM
- Standard medium used: Yes, AAP nutrient medium


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Regular Algal Assay Procedure (AAP) medium prepared with deionized water
- Total organic carbon: Not available
- Particulate matter: Not available
- Metals: Not available
- Pesticides: Not available
- Chlorine: Not available
- Alkalinity: Not available
- Ca/mg ratio: Not available
- Conductivity: Not available
- Culture medium different from test medium: No
- Intervals of water quality measurement: Not available

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Sterile test conditions: Yes
- Adjustment of pH: Not applicable
- Photoperiod: Not available
- Light intensity and quality: Approximately 2,000 lux


EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- Determination of cell concentrations: Hemacytometer
- Cell counts were made on day 0,2,3,4,5.


TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: 2-5 (except for the highest test concentration of 1000 mg/L)
- Justification for using less concentrations than requested by guideline: Not applicable
- Range finding study: no

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

0.91 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

cell number

Remarks on result:

other: 95%CL: 0.84- 10mg/L

Details on results:

- Exponential growth in the control (for algal test): Yes (18.5x growth)
- Observation of abnormalities (for algal test): Not available
- Any stimulation of growth found in any treatment: Not available
- Any observations (e.g. precipitation) that might cause a difference between measured and nominal values: None
- Effect concentrations exceeding solubility of substance in test medium: None

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Not applicable

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The EC50 values were calculated using the following three statistical methods: moving average angle analysis, Probit analysis, and binominal probability. The results of the moving average angle method were used to report the EC50 values.

Comparison was also made to in situ studies conducted in which lake water was bottled and suspended in Lake Acton (Ohio) for 3 hour periods. The mean 3-h EC₅₀(photosynthesis) for the in situ studies was 3.4 mg/L (0.5-8.0 mg/L).Using the acute to chronic ratio calculation (documented in Annex 3 of the LAS SIAR), the EC₅₀/3 for Microcystis is 0.3 mg/L.   The NOEC normalized by van de Plassche et al. (1999) to C_11.6LAS was 0.35 mg/L. 

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

In a 96 hour algae growth inhibition test, the EC50 of LAS to Microcystis aeruginosa was 0.91 mg/L.

Executive summary:

In a 96 hour algae growth inhibition test, the green algae Microcystis aeruginosa was exposed to Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (C11.9 LAS) in accordance with USEPA OPPTS 850.5400. The nominal test concentrations were 0 (control), 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1,000 mg a.i./L.

The 96 hour EC50, based on cell number, was 0.91 mg a.i./L (0.84 -10.0). The NOEC is estimated to be 0.35 mg/L for C11.6 LAS (van de Plassche et al., 1999).

This algal growth inhibition test satisfies the guideline requirements of the USEPA OPPTS 850.5400.

Description of key information

Algae Acute

Four studies characterize the potential for short-term toxicity to aquatic algae using LAS. In the study with the lowest EC50 value (Brill 2011), the effect of LAS on Scenedesmus subspicatus was determined in a 72 hr algae growth inhibition test, following the OECD 201 guideline. The LAS was comprised of C10-C13 alkyl chain lengths, with an average chain length of C11.6. Measured concentrations were 99-109% of nominal (0, 1.25, 2.50, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/L). The 72 h ErC50 was 7.39 mg/L. In a series of tests using the same algal species (Verge and Moreno 1996), 72 -hr aquatic toxicity values were determined on the C10 through C14 homologues of LAS. ErC50 values ranged from 18 mg/L for the C14 homologue to 270 mg/L for the C10 homologue. Two short-term studies are available on Selenastrum capricornutum. In the first study on this species (Hanstveit and Goossen 1990), two 72 hr algae growth inhibition tests were conducted on C11.8 LAS.  Taking the average of the results from the two tests, the ErC50 was 13.85 mg/L. In the second study on this species (Ward et al. 1982, Lewis and Hamm 1986), a 72 hour algal growth inhibition test was conducted on C11.9 LAS. The ErC50 value is 235 mg/L.  

 

Algae Chronic

Seven studies characterize the toxicity of LAS to four species of aquatic algae. In the first algae growth inhibition test (Ward 1982; van de Plassche et al 1999), the green algae Microcystis aeruginosa was exposed to C11.9LAS for 96 hours. Nominal test concentrations were 0 (control), 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1,000 mg a.i./L. The resultant 96 hour EC50, based on cell number, was 0.91 mg a.i./L. The NOEC normalized for C11.6LAS is estimated to be 0.35 mg/L.

 

In a second study (Scholz 1992), Scenedesmus subspicatus was exposed to concentrations of 0, 0.6, 2.4, 10, 40, or 160 mg/L of C11.6LAS for 72 hours. The 72-hr NOEC was 2.4 mg/L, the EbC50 was 47.3 mg/L, and the ErC50was 127.9 mg/L for algae. Normalization is not required since the compound tested was already C11.6LAS. In a series of tests using the same algal species (Verge and Moreno 1996), 72 -hour aquatic toxicity values were determined on the C10 through C14 homologues of LAS. NOEC values based on growth ranged from 7 mg/L for the C14 homologue to 80 mg/L for the C10 homologue.

In a third study (Muehlberg 1984), the algae Chlorella kessleriwas exposed to concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/L (nominal) of C11.6LAS for 15 days. The resultant NOEC was 3.1 mg/L active ingredient, and the LOEC was 10 mg/L active ingredient. Again, no normalization is required because the study was conducted on C11.6LAS.

 

Three studies were conducted on the fourth species of aquatic algae to be evaluated, Pseudokircheneriella subcaptitata, formerly Selenastrum capricornutum. In the first study on this species (Hanstveit and Goossen 1990), two 72 hr algae growth inhibition tests were conducted on C11.8 LAS at nominal concentrations of 0, 0.12, 0.372, 1.2, 3.84, 13.8, 21.6, 38.4, 67.2 mg a.i./L (test #1), and at nominal concentrations of 0, 0.12, 0.372, 1.26, 3.84, 11.88, 21.6, 38.4, 67.2 mg a.i./L (test #2) test in accordance with OECD Guideline 201. Taking the average of the results from the two tests, the ErC10 was 6.56 mg/L. In the second study on this species (Ward et al. 1982, Lewis and Hamm 1986), a 72 hour algal growth inhibition test was conducted on C11.9 LAS. The nominal test concentrations were control, 16, 32, 63, 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 mg a.i./L. The 72 hour ErC10 value is 13.1 mg/L. In the third study conducted on this species (Huges and Alexander 1991), a 96 h algae toxicity study was conducted on C12.3 LAS and cell density measured. Nominal test concentrations were 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 mg a.i./L. The 96 hr NOEC was 0.5 mg/L.