Reaction mass of Terpenes and terpenoids, turpentine-oil, alpha-pinene fraction, dimers and Terpenes and terpenoids, turpentine-oil, alpha-pinene fraction, trimers

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2012

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 301 F (Ready Biodegradability: Manometric Respirometry Test)

Deviations:

no

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Pre-study solubility work was conducted in order to determine the most suitable method of preparation. It was concluded that, following the recommendations of the International Standards Organisation (ISO 2005) the test item would be dispersed in mineral medium with the aid of ultrasonication for 15 minutes.

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Test Material: Terpenes and terpenoids, turpentine oil, alpha-pinene fraction oligomers
CAS Number: 70750-57-1
Description: xtremely viscous pale amber colored liquid
Batch: 0910002624
Purity: 100%
Expiry date: Indefinite
Storage Conditions: Room Temperature in the dark

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, domestic (adaptation not specified)

Details on inoculum:

Mixed population of sewage treatment micro-organisms from the final effluent stage of the Severn Trent Water Plc sewage treatment plant at Loughborough (predominantly domestic sewage). The microorganisms were obtained on 27 June 2012.

Duration of test (contact time):

28 d

Initial conc.:

100 mg/L

Details on study design:

Pre-solubility work was conducted in order to determine the most suitable method of preparation.
50 mg test item was dispersed in 495 ml mineral medium, followed by 15 minutes ultrasonic disruption. 5 ml innoculum was then added, providing a test concentration of 100 mg/l.

Innoculum control: Innoculated mineral medium, 3 replicates
Procedure control: innoculated mineral medium, reference item (100 mg/l), 2 replicates
Test vessels: Innoculated mineral medium and test item (100 mg/l), 3 replicates
Toxicity control: Innoculated mineral medium, reference item (100 mg/l), test item (100 mg/), 2 replicates
One bottle with test item (100 mg/l) - to measure pH and temperature on day 0, as the test item adhered to the pH and temperature probes

Test was conducted in diffuse light at a temperature of 21 +- 1°C
pH in the test vessels was 7.6 at test start and 7.4 - 7.5 at test end

Reference substance:

aniline

Preliminary study:

Pre-study solubility work was conducted to determine the most suitable method of test item preparation.

Test performance:

An initial study was conducted, but aborted at day 12 due to highly variable BOD measurements in the control.

Key result

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

8

Sampling time:

28 d

Remarks on result:

other: not readily biodegradable

Results with reference substance:

The reference substance, aniline, degraded by 67% after 14 days and 82% after 28 days.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Interpretation of results:

not readily biodegradable

Conclusions:

The Terpenes and terpenoids, turpentine oil, alpha-pinene fraction oligomers attained 8% degradation over 28 days and is not considered to be readily biodegradable.

Executive summary:

This is a GLP-compliant study following OECD Guideline 301F. The validity criteria for the test were fulfilled: mean BOD of the innoculated mineral medium (control) was 16.08 mg O2/l after 28 days, pH in the inncoulated test item vessels ranged from 7.4 to 7.5 on day 28 and the difference between extremes of replicate BOD values was less that 20%. The test item attained 8% degradation after 28 Days, calculated from oxygen consumption values, and therefore cannot be considered to be biodegradable under the strict terms and conditions of the OECD 301 F. The toxicity control attained 36% degradation after 14 days and 43% degradation after 28 days thereby confirming that the test item was not toxic to the sewage treatment micro- organisms used in the test.

Description of key information

Terpenes and terpenoids, turpentine oil, alpha-pinene fraction oligomers attained 8% degradation over 28 days and is not considered to be readily biodegradable. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

inherently biodegradable, fulfilling specific criteria

Additional information

A GLP-compliant biodegradation study following OECD Guideline 301F was conducted (Harlan Laboratories 2012). The validity criteria for the test were fulfilled: mean BOD of the innoculated mineral medium (control) was 16.08 mg O2/l after 28 days, pH in the inncoulated test item vessels ranged from 7.4 to 7.5 on day 28 and the difference between extremes of replicate BOD values was less that 20%. The test item cannot be considered to be readily biodegradable under the conditions of the test.