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Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

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Description of key information

For the conducted static algae growth inhibition test with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, applying nominal concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/L niobium pentachloride, results based on growth rate after 72 h were as follows: EL50: 533 mg/L (95 % C.I. 393 – 725 mg/L); LOELR: ≤ 125 mg/L; NOELR: < 125 mg/L. The values indicate effects at nominal loading rates. Due to methodological constraints, it was not possible to determine effect levels based on measured test item concentrations.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

In a 72-h growth inhibition test, cultures of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Strain No. 61.81 SAG) were exposed to niobium pentachloride at nominal concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/L under static conditions in accordance with the OECD Guideline 201 (March 2006) and under GLP. The % growth inhibition in the treated algal culture as compared to the control ranged from 57.9 % at a nominal concentration of 125 mg/L to 100.7 % at a nominal concentration of 2000 mg/L. Specific results based on growth rate after 72 h were as follows: EL50: 533 mg/L (95 % C.I. 393 – 725 mg/L); EL20: 164 mg/L (95 % C.l. 79.5 – 242 mg/L); EL10: 88.3 mg/L (95 % C.l. 31.6 – 149 mg/L); LOELR: ≤ 125 mg/L; NOELR: < 125 mg/L.The values indicate effects at nominal loading rates. Due to methodological constraints, it was not possible to determine effect levels based on measured test item concentrations. After pH adjustment the measured Nb5+ concentrations were low and showed high variability. Therefore, no concentration-response relationship can be delineated. Concentrations of the test sample varied due to precipitation, agglomeration and adsorption reactions. In addition, slight changes in pH had profound impact on the test concentrations. Observed growth inhibition effects may therefore rather predominantly refer to elevated NaCl concentrations, originated from neutralization, than released Nb5+ ions. Reported effects of sodium chloride concerning the freshwater alga P. subcapitata vary but inhibitory concentrations of 2.5 g/L, respectively 0.87 g/L have been determined (Geis et al., 2000 and Santos et al., 2007, in Heisterkamp, 2015). Due to a concentration of approximately 2.92 g/L NaCl, present at the highest loading rate of 2000 mg/L test substance, and the sensitivity of P. subcapitata to salinity, any hypothetical Nb5+ related effects cannot be distinguished from NaCl induced inhibition in the conducted test.