Hydrocarbons, C12-C15, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, < 2% aromatics

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

March to November 1993

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: This robust summary has a reliability rating of 1 because the study followed a standard guideline, followed GLP guidelines, and was conducted without deviations that would invalidate the study.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

An equilibration study was conducted prior to the study to determine the length of time needed to develop water accommodated fractions (WAFs) at the 1000 mg/L loading level. The aqueous phase of the WAF was analyzed after 1, 24, 48, and 96 hours of stirring. In all samples, the quantity of test substance in solution was less than the limit of detection (0.5 mg/L). Further analysis of test substance in test media a loading level of 1 g/L also showed no detectable amounts of test substance. Consequently, analysis of treatment solutions from the definitive study were not conducted.

Vehicle:

no

Details on test organisms:

Organisms used in the test were from a laboratory culture, originally derived from a strain (ATCC 22662) obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, Maryland, Ohio, USA.

Test type:

static

Total exposure duration:

72 h

Post exposure observation period:

None

Test temperature:

23 to 25 degrees C

pH:

7.2 to 8.8

Nominal and measured concentrations:

The nominal loading rate was 1000 mg/L. A control was also tested.

Details on test conditions:

The study was conducted in sealed test systems with no headspace that were not renewed during the study. The test systems used were 300 ml glass Erlenmeyer flasks that were complely filled with test media. Six replicate test systems were established for the treatment level and control. Control and treatment systems were innoculated with a concentration of 5000 cells/ml. Test systems were incubated under constant illumination (approximately 3000 lux) on an orbital incubator.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EL50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

cell number

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EL50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

NOELR

Effect conc.:

1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

cell number

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

NOELR

Effect conc.:

1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Reported statistics and error estimates:

None

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

Growth in an alga culture, Pseudokirchnerella subcapitata, as measured by biomass and growth rate, exposed to a 1000 mg/L water accommodated fraction of the test substance was not inhibited when compared to the control after a 72-hour exposure. Therefore, the 72-hr EL50 and NOELR values for these two endpoints are reported as >1000 mg/L and 1000 mg/L, respectively.

Executive summary:

Growth in an alga culture, Pseudokirchnerella subcapitata, as measured by biomass and growth rate, exposed to a 1000 mg/L water accommodated fraction of the test substance was not inhibited when compared to the control after a 72-hour exposure. Therefore, the 72-hr EL50 and NOELR values for these two endpoints are reported as >1000 mg/L and 1000 mg/L, respectively.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

31 July 2014 to 13 August 2014

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study conducted in compliance with agreed protocols, with no or minor deviations from standard test guidelines and/or minor methodological deficiencies, which do not affect the quality of rleevant results.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test)

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.3 (Algal Inhibition test)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Test Organism Observations
Samples were taken at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours and the cell densities determined using a Coulter® Multisizer Particle Counter.

To determine the potential effect of the test item on the appearance of algal cells, a sample was removed from each test and control culture (replicates pooled) at the end of the test. The shape and size of the algal cells was inspected microscopically and any abnormalities recorded.

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

 Experimental Preparation
A nominal amount of test item (230 mg) was added to the surface of 2.3 liters of culture medium in a sealed vessel with minimal headspace to give the 100 mg/L loading rate. After the addition of the test item, the culture medium was stirred by magnetic stirrer using a stirring rate such that a vortex was formed to give a dimple at the water surface. The stirring was stopped after 23 hours and the mixture allowed to stand for 1 hour. A wide bore glass tube, covered at one end with Nescofilm was submerged into the vessel, sealed end down, to a depth of approximately 5 cm from the bottom of the vessel. A length of Tygon tubing was inserted into the glass tube and pushed through the Nescofilm seal. The aqueous phase or WAF was removed by mid-depth siphoning (the first 75-100 mL discarded) to give the 100 mg/L loading rate WAF. Microscopic inspection of the WAF showed no micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present.
 
An aliquot (2 liters) of the 100 mg/L loading rate WAF was inoculated with algal suspension (17 mL) to give the required test concentration of 100 mg/L loading rate WAF.
 
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis was performed on the test preparations at 0 and 72 hours.

Test organisms (species):

Raphidocelis subcapitata (previous names: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Selenastrum capricornutum)

Details on test organisms:

The test was carried out using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata strain CCAP 278/4. Liquid cultures of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata were obtained from the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), SAMS Research Services Ltd, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, Scotland. Master cultures were maintained in the laboratory by the periodic replenishment of culture medium. The master cultures were maintained in the laboratory under constant aeration and illumination at 21 ± 1°C.

Prior to the start of the test sufficient master culture was added to approximately 100 mL volumes of culture media contained in conical flasks to give an initial cell density of approximately 103 cells/mL. The flasks were plugged with polyurethane foam stoppers and kept under constant agitation by orbital shaker (100 – 150 rpm) and constant illumination at 24 ± 1 C until the algal cell density was approximately 104 – 105 cells/mL.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

72 h

Hardness:

Not stated in report

Test temperature:

24 +/- 1°C recorded daily

pH:

Measured using a Hach HQ30d Flexi handheld meter.

Dissolved oxygen:

Not stated in report

Salinity:

Not applicable as a freshwater study

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Range finding test: 10 and 100 mg/l loading rate
Definitive test: 100 mg/l loading rate

Details on test conditions:

As in the range-finding test 250 mL glass conical flasks were used. Six flasks each completely filled with test preparation were used for the control and 100 mg/L loading rate WAF treatment group.

The control group was maintained under identical conditions but not exposed to the test item.

Pre-culture conditions gave an algal suspension in log phase growth characterized by a cell density of 5.85 x 105 cells per mL. Inoculation of 2 liters of test medium with 17 mL of this algal suspension gave an initial nominal cell density of 5 x 103 cells per mL and had no significant dilution effect on the final test concentration.

The flasks were sealed with ground glass stoppers and incubated (INFORS Multitron Version 2 incubator) at 24 ± 1 °C under continuous illumination (intensity approximately 7000 lux) provided by warm white lighting (380 – 730 nm) and constantly shaken at approximately 150 rpm for 72 hours

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

Potassium dichromate

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EL50

Effect conc.:

> 100 other: mg/l loading rate Water-accommodated fraction

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

NOELR

Effect conc.:

100 other: mg/l loading rate Water-accommodated fraction

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Details on results:

From the data given in Tables 2 and 4 (please refer to the attached documents), it is clear that the growth rate (r) and yield (y) of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (CCAP 278/4) were not affected by the presence of the test item over the 72-Hour exposure period.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

A positive control (Harlan Study Number 41303826) used potassium dichromate as the reference item at concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/L.

Exposure conditions and data evaluation for the positive control were similar to those in the definitive test.

Exposure of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (CCAP 278/4) to the reference item gave the following results:

ErC50 (0 – 72 h) : 1.1 mg/L; 95% confidence limits 0.91 – 1.2 mg/L
EyC50 (0 – 72 h) : 0.51 mg/L; 95% confidence limits 0.45 – 0.59 mg/L

No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) based on growth rate: 0.25 mg/L
No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) based on yield: 0.25 mg/L
Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) based on growth rate: 0.50 mg/L
Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) based on yield: 0.50 mg/L

The results from the positive control with potassium dichromate were within the normal ranges for this reference item.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Inhibition of growth rate
ErL10 (0 - 72 h) : >100 mg/L loading rate WAF
ErL20 (0 - 72 h) : >100 mg/L loading rate WAF
ErL50 (0 - 72 h) : >100 mg/L loading rate WAF

Where ErLx is the loading rate that reduced growth rate by x%.

Statistical analysis of the growth rate data was carried out for the control and 100 mg/L loading rate WAF test group a Student’s t-test incorporating Bartlett's test for homogeneity of variance (Sokal and Rohlf, 1981). There were no statistically significant decreases in growth rate (P0.05), between the control and 100 mg/L loading rate WAF test group and therefore the "No Observed Effect Loading Rate" (NOEL) based on growth rate was 100 mg/L loading rate WAF.


Inhibition of Yield
EyL10 (0 - 72 h) : >100 mg/L loading rate WAF
EyL20 (0 - 72 h) : >100 mg/L loading rate WAF
EyL50 (0 - 72 h) : >100 mg/L loading rate WAF

Where EyLx is the loading rate that reduced yield by x%.

Statistical analysis of the yield data was carried out as per the above. There were no statistically significant decreases in yield between the control and 100 mg/L loading rate WAF (P0.05) and, therefore the "No Observed Effect Loading Rate" (NOEL) based on yield was 100 mg/L loading rate WAF.

Validation Criteria

The following data show that the cell concentration of the control cultures increased by a factor of 97 after 72 hours. This increase was in line with the OECD Guideline that states the enhancement must be at least by a factor of 16 after 72 hours.

 

Mean cell density of control at 0 hours         :          5.39 x 10³cells per mL

Mean cell density of control at 72 hours       :          5.22 x 10⁵cells per mL

 

The mean coefficient of variation for section by section specific growth rate for the control cultures was 24% and hence satisfied the validation criterion given in the OECD Guideline which states the mean must not exceed 35%.

 

The coefficient of variation for average specific growth rate for the control cultures over the test period (0 – 72 h) was 3% and hence satisfied the validation criterion given in the OECD Guideline which states that this must not exceed 7%.

Observations on Cultures

All test and control cultures were inspected microscopically at 72 hours. There were no abnormalities detected in any of the control or test cultures.

 

Water Quality Criteria

Temperature was maintained at 24 ± 1 ºC throughout the test.

 

The pH value of the control cultures (see Table 2) was observed to increase from pH 8.6 at 0 hours to pH 10.5 at 72 hours. This increase was considered to be due to the amount of carbon dioxide required by the large number of algal cells in the log phase of growth (see Figure 1) exceeding the transfer rate of CO₂from the gaseous phase to the aqueous phase. In this situation CO₂required for photosynthesis and growth would be derived from bicarbonate in solution which results in an increase in the pH of the culture. The increase in pH after 72 hours was in excess of that recommended in the EC Guidelines (1.5 pH units after 72 hours). This was considered to have had no adverse effect on the results of the study given that the increase in cell concentration in the control cultures exceeded the validation criterion given in the Test Guidelines.

 

Vortex Depth Measurements

The vortex depth was recorded at the start and end of the mixing period and was observed to have formed a dimple at the media surface.

  

Observations on Test Item Solubility

Observations on the test media were carried out during the mixing and testing of the WAF.

 

At both the start and end of the mixing period, and following a 1-Hour standing period, the WAF was observed to have formed a clear colorless media column with an oily globule of test item floating at the media surface. Microscopic examination of the WAF showed there to be no globules or micro-dispersions of test item present.

 

At the start of the test all control and 100 mg/L loading rate WAF test cultures were observed to be clear colorless solutions. After the 72 -Hour test period all control and test cultures were observed to be green dispersions.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The effect of the test item on the growth of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata has been investigated and gave EL50 values of greater than 100 mg/L loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading Rate was 100 mg/L loading rate WAF.

Executive summary:

Introduction

A study was performed to assess the effect of the test item on the growth of the green algaPseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The method followed was designed to be compatible with the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals (2006) No 201, "Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test" referenced as Method C.3 of Commission Regulation (EC) 761/2009.

 

 Methods…

Due to the low aqueous solubility and complex nature of the test item for the purposes of the test the test item was prepared as a Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF).

 

Following a preliminary range-finding test,Pseudokirchneriella subcapitatawas exposed to a Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF) of the test item, at a single nominal loading rate of 100 mg/L (six replicate flasks) for 72 hours, under constant illumination and shaking at a temperature of 24 ± 1 °C.

 

Due to the potentially volatile nature of the test item, testing was conducted in completely filled, stoppered test vessels in order to minimize possible losses due to volatilization. Following the recommendations of published data (Hermanet al1990) in order to prevent inhibition of growth due to the restriction of gaseous exchange, additional sodium bicarbonate was added to the culture medium to provide a source of carbon dioxide for algal growth.

 

Samples of the algal populations were removed daily and cell concentrations determined for each control and treatment group, using a Coulter^®Multisizer Particle Counter.

 

Results…….

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis of the 100 mg/L loading rate WAF test preparation at 0 hours showed a measured concentration of 3.96 mg C/L was obtained. A decline in measured carbon concentration was observed at 72 hours to 0.98 mg C/L.

 

Given that the toxicity cannot be attributed to a single component or a mixture of components but to the test item as a whole, the results were based on nominal loading rates only.

 

Exposure ofPseudokirchneriella subcapitatato the test item gave EL₅₀values of greater than 100 mg/L loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading Rate was 100 mg/L loading rate WAF.

 

It was considered unnecessary and unrealistic to test at loading rates in excess of 100 mg/L loading rate WAF.

Description of key information

No data are available for the registered substance, but measured data are available for Hydrocarbons, C12-C15, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, <2% aromatics (GS 215) in which the EL50 was found to be >100 mg/l and the NOELR was 100 mg/l.

Measured data are also available for Hydrocarbons, C11-C14, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, <2% aromatics (D70), in which the 72-hr EL50 was found to be >1000 mg/L and the 72-hr NOELR was 1000 mg/L.

These data are used as read-across data for hydrocarbons, C12-C15, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, <2% aromatics (D90)

Additional information

No measured aquatic algae data are available for the registration substance. However, reliable data are available for closely related substances covering the same carbon number range.

Measured toxicity data are available for Shell GTL Solvent GS215 (Hydrocarbons, C12-C15, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, <2% aromatics) to the freshwater green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Vryenhoef, 2014e). The test was conducted under static (no renewal of the test media) conditions in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 201 and method C3 of EC Regulation No. EC 761/2009. Appropriate modifications to the test and media preparation procedures were made to take account of the test substance containing multiple constituents, having low solubility in water and being potentially volatile. No effects on growth (expressed in terms of yield (y) and growth rate (r)) of P. subcapitata were observed after 72 hours exposure to the test medium prepared as a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) at a loading rate of 100 mg/l; 72-hour EyL50 and ErL50 values were >100 mg/l and NOELR values were ≥100 mg/l. Total Organic Carbon analysis of the 100 mg/l loading rate WAF test preparations at 0 hours showed a measured carbon concentrations of 3.96 mg C/l. A decline in measured carbon concentration was observed at 72 hours to 0.98 mg C/l. The results of the test are considered to be reliable.

Growth of algal cultures, as measured by biomass and growth rate, exposed to a water accommodated fraction of hydrocarbons, C11-C14, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, <2% aromatics, was not inhibited over 72 hours. The growth of algae in the test systems was greater than the controls, which performed normally. Therefore, the 72-hr EL50 values for the two endpoints are reported as >1000 mg/L. The 72-hr NOELR values for biomass and growth rate are reported as 1000 mg/L, respectively. These data are used as read-across data for hydrocarbons, C12 -C15, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, <2% aromatics.