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Diss Factsheets

Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

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Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference
Endpoint:
toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
Type of information:
read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
key study
Justification for type of information:
1. HYPOTHESIS FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH
Bulk calcium carbonate and uncoated nano calcium carbonate are chemically identical. The only difference between them is the particle size, which may result in minor differences in physico-chemical properties. However, in biological systems and in the environment, both bulk and uncoated nano calcium carbonate are expected to have identical (eco)toxicological and environmental fate properties.
2. SOURCE AND TARGET CHEMICAL(S) (INCLUDING INFORMATION ON PURITY AND IMPURITIES)
Uncoated nano calcium carbonate (Source): Refer to IUCLID section 1.2 for information on purity and impurities.
Bulk calcium carbonate (Target): Refer to IUCLID section 1.2 for information on purity and impurities.
The majority of new studies have been performed using uncoated nano calcium carbonate as the test material, hence it has been designated as the ‘Source’ in the read-across justification. However, for some endpoints data on bulk calcium carbonate are available and used to read-across to uncoated nano calcium carbonate so for these endpoints, marked with a * in the read-across justification document, bulk calcium carbonate is the ‘Source’.
3. ANALOGUE APPROACH JUSTIFICATION
Please refer to the justification attached in Section 13 of the dataset
4. DATA MATRIX
Please refer to the justification attached in Section 13 of the dataset
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across: supporting information
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test)
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.3 (Algal Inhibition test)
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
EC10
Effect conc.:
> 14 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
meas. (arithm. mean)
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
other: growth rate and yield
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
EC20
Effect conc.:
> 14 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
meas. (arithm. mean)
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
other: growth rate and yield
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
EC50
Effect conc.:
> 14 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
meas. (arithm. mean)
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
other: growth rate and yield
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
NOEC
Effect conc.:
14 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
meas. (arithm. mean)
Conc. based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect:
other: growth rate and yield

Description of key information

The acute toxicity of uncoated nano calcium carbonate to algae has been investigated in a GLP study performed in accordance with OECD TG 201. The 72 h ErC50 was >14 mg/L and the NOErC was 14 mg/L.

The result from this study demonstrates that calcium carbonate is not acutely toxic to algae at the limit of its solubility in water. This result is read across to bulk calcium carbonate.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

No data are available for bulk calcium carbonate. A study is available for uncoated nano calcium carbonate. This study, performed to OECD TG 201, assessed the acute toxicity of uncoated nano calcium carbonate to Desmodesmus subspicatus (green algae) in a limit test (Vryenhoef and Mullee, 2010). No toxic effects were noted at the concentration tested. Hence, the 72 h EC50 for uncoated nano calcium carbonate was found to be >14 mg/L and the NOEC was 14 mg/L.

The concentration of uncoated nano calcium carbonate that might cause acute toxicity is therefore greater than the maximum solubility of calcium carbonate in water.

The uncoated nano calcium carbonate was tested because it was anticipated to represent the worst case as it is likely to be more soluble than bulk calcium carbonate due to the smaller particle size and hence greater surface area. However, the results are directly applicable to bulk calcium carbonate.