Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference
Endpoint:
toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
30 January 2018 to 30 November 2018
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 201 (Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test)
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Specific details on test material used for the study:
CAS RN: 1412893-77-6
Purity: >94% (This substance has an Unknown or Variable composition, is a Complex reaction product, or a Biological material (UVCB))
Description: Brown paste to very viscous liquid
Analytical monitoring:
yes
Details on sampling:
- Sampling method: Samples (8 mL) of test media of freshly prepared test media (0 hour) and pooled expired test media (72 hours) were collected in duplicate.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: Storage stability was not assessed. Samples were extracted and analysed on the day of receipt or sample extracts were stored refrigerated.
- Sample processing: Prior to analysis, the samples were diluted with acetonitrile, then diluted further with diluent (acetonitrile/OECD medium, 1:1, v/v) as required to bring the response within the calibration range.
Vehicle:
no
Details on test solutions:
The dilution media used was OECD medium.

The test material is a chemical substance of Unknown or Variable Composition, Complex Reaction Products and Biological Materials (UVCB) with variable water solubility and as such falls into the category of a “difficult substance” as defined by the OECD Guidance Document (OECD Series on Testing and Assessment, No. 23 (2000); Guidance Document on Aquatic Toxicity Testing of Difficult Substances and Mixtures). Based on the recommendations of this guidance, the test solutions were prepared as Water Accommodated Fractions (WAFs).

At the start of the test, ca 0.96, 1.0, 3.2, 10, 32 and 100 mg of test material were each separately weighed onto glass slides. The slides were separately added to 3000, 1000, 1000, 1000, 1000 and 1000 mL of OECD medium, respectively, and stirred for ca 23 hours at a rate such that a slight dimple was formed at the surface. After the stirring period, the preparations were allowed to settle for ca 1 hour after which the aqueous phase was removed by careful mid-depth siphoning to give the 0.32, 1.0, 3.2, 10, 32 and 100 mg/L loading rate WAFs. A control treatment was prepared using the same preparation method without the addition of test material.
Test organisms (species):
Raphidocelis subcapitata (previous names: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Selenastrum capricornutum)
Details on test organisms:
- Common name: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata
- Strain: CCAP 278/4
- Source: Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), SAMS Research Services Ltd, Oban, UK
- Age of inoculum (at test initiation): Concentrated, axenic liquid slope cultures stored under refrigeration (2-8 °C) for up to 8 months.
- Method of cultivation: Prior to testing, duplicate starter cultures were prepared and incubated under test conditions to obtain sufficient algal cells in exponential growth and to achieve a starting algae cell density of 1 x 10^4 cells/mL.
Test type:
static
Water media type:
other: OECD medium
Limit test:
no
Total exposure duration:
72 h
Hardness:
Not specified
Test temperature:
22.6 - 23.6 °C
pH:
6.55 - 8.95
Dissolved oxygen:
Not specified
Salinity:
Not applicable
Conductivity:
Not specified
Nominal and measured concentrations:
The definitive test was conducted at nominal loading rates of 0.32, 1.0, 3.2, 10, 32 and 100 mg/L. The range was based on the results of a range finding test, for which the key results only have been reported. A concurrent control group was also included.
Details on test conditions:
TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: Sterile, autoclaved glass 250 mL Erlenmeyer (conical) flasks
- Fill volume: 100 mL
- Aeration: None; shaken continuously (100 rpm) to keep algae in suspension and facilitate transfer
of CO2.
- Renewal rate of test solution: Not applicable; static
- Initial cell density: 1 x 10^4 cells/mL
- Control end cell density: 68.6 x 10^4 cells/mL
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 3
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 6
- No. of vessels per vehicle control (replicates): Not applicable

GROWTH MEDIUM
- Standard medium used: Yes; OECD medium

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Intervals of water quality measurement: 0 and 72 hours; temperature also was recorded continuously using minimum/maximum thermometer.
- Sterile test conditions: Yes
- Adjustment of pH: None reported.
- Photoperiod: Constant light
- Light intensity and quality: 6050 – 8070 lux (0 hour); 6470 – 8630 lux (72 hours); under florescent lights, emitting white light across the visible portion of the spectrum (400 - 700 nm).

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED
- Determination of cell concentrations: particle counter (Z2 Coulter Counter)
- Chlorophyll measurement: No
- Cell condition: At the end of the test, a subsample of the pooled replicates from the control and each test concentration was taken and the shape and general condition of the algae in each test group was assessed by microscopic observations.

RANGE-FINDING TEST
A range-finding test was conducted at nominal test substance loading rates of 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/L. A concurrent control group was also included. Duplicate test vessels were prepared for the control and each loading rate.
Reference substance (positive control):
yes
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
EL50
Effect conc.:
3.6 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat. (dissolved fraction)
Remarks:
/ loading rate WAF
Basis for effect:
other: yield
Remarks on result:
other:
Remarks:
(95% confidence limits not calculable - 5.3)
Key result
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
EL50
Effect conc.:
20 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat. (dissolved fraction)
Remarks:
/ loading rate WAF
Basis for effect:
growth rate
Remarks on result:
other:
Remarks:
(95% confidence limits 15 - 24)
Key result
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
NOELR
Effect conc.:
< 0.32 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat. (dissolved fraction)
Remarks:
/ loading rate WAF
Basis for effect:
growth rate
Remarks on result:
other:
Key result
Duration:
72 h
Dose descriptor:
EL10
Effect conc.:
0.2 mg/L
Nominal / measured:
nominal
Conc. based on:
test mat. (dissolved fraction)
Remarks:
/ loading rate WAF
Basis for effect:
growth rate
Remarks on result:
other:
Remarks:
(95% confidence limits 0.17 - 0.32)
Details on results:
- Exponential growth in the control (for algal test): Yes
- Observation of abnormalities (for algal test): None reported
- Test media descriptions: The freshly prepared test solutions solutions at 0 hours appeared as colourless, with the exception of the 100 m/L loading rate WAF which was observed to be a cloudy, homogenous dispersion. The appearance of the test media following the 72-hour definitive exposure period were described as non-homogenous hazy dispersion of algae cells with color ranging from very pale green to green, but at 100 mg/L it was a colourless solution.
- Any stimulation of growth found in any treatment: Yes
- Effect concentrations exceeding solubility of substance in test medium: No
Results with reference substance (positive control):
A positive control study was conducted to determine the effects of the reference substance, potassium dichromate, on algal growth by exposing the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, at the exponential growth phase to the reference substance for 72 hours. The 72-hour EC50 values for yield, area under the growth curve and growth rate were determined to be 0.599, 0.604 and 0.875 mg/L, respectively. The 72-hour NOEC value for yield, area under the growth curve and growth rate were determined to be 0.32, <0.1 and 0.32 mg/L, respectively.

These results were within the expected toxicity range (growth rate EC50: 0.38 - 2.60 mg/L) for this reference substance and all validity criteria were met; the test is therefore considered valid.
Reported statistics and error estimates:
Statistical analysis was performed using the CETIS program v 1.8.6.8.

The average specific growth rate (µ) and the final yield over specified time intervals were analysed using Dunnett Multiple Comparison Test to determine the no observed effect loading rate (NOEL).

Linear interpolation analysis was performed in order to estimate EL10, EL20 and EL50 values. Where possible, 95% confidence limits were calculated for the EL10, EL20 and EL50 values.

Percent inhibition of growth rate of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Nominal Loading Rate

Average specific growth rate, “µ”
(cells x 10^-2/mL)

Inhibition of average specific growth rates relative to the control (%)

(mg/L)

0-24
hours

24-48
hours

48-72
hours

0-72
hours

0-24
hours

24-48
hours

48-72
hours

0-72
hours

Control

6.18

5.48

5.93

5.87

NA

NA

NA

NA

0.32

4.21

4.93

5.83

4.99

32

10

2

15

1.0

4.36

5.63

4.86

4.95

29

-3

18

16

3.2

4.02

4.76

6.17

4.98

35

13

-4

15

10

3.08

3.87

5.44

4.13

50

29

8

30

32

2.07

0.142

3.84

2.02

67

97

35

66

100

2.23

-1.49

-0.756

-0.008

64

127

113

100

 NA  Not applicable

Negative percentage inhibition values relative to the control indicate growth stimulation and are not considered an adverse effect.

Percent inhibition of yield of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata 

 

Nominal loading rate
(mg/L)

Initial
cell density
(cells x 104/mL)

Final Yield at
72 hours#
(cells/mL)

Mean Final Yield per treatment
(cells x 104/mL)

% Inhibition in Final Yield relative to control treatment

Control

1

604480
734600
767020
722580
586660
638480

67.6

NA

0.32

1

346740
362220
350980

35.3

48

1.0

1

237220
419920
402580

35.3

48

3.2

1

364780
349060
340280

35.1

48

10

1

267500
139840
170840

19.3

71

32

1

36740
25760
36540

3.30

95

100

1

3480
-4360
2920

0.068

100

# Final yield (cells/mL) = cell density (cells/mL) at 72 hours – initial cell density (cells/mL)

NA Not applicable


Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Remarks:
The control cell densities increased by a factor of 68. The mean coefficient of variation (CV) for section-by-section specific growth rate in the control cultures was 8.9% and the overall CV for specific growth rate was 2.62%.
Conclusions:
Based on nominal loading rates, the 72-hour EyL50 (yield) and the 0-72 hour ErL50 (growth rate) values were calculated to be 3.6 and 20 mg/L loading rate WAF, respectively. The corresponding NOEL for yield and specific growth rate after 72 hours was less than 0.32 mg/L loading rate WAF, the lowest loading rate tested.
Executive summary:

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of the test material on the growth of the freshwater green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, during a 72-hour growth inhibition toxicity test. The test was conducted in accordance with OECD Chemicals Testing Guideline No. 201. Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test (adopted 23 March 2006, Annex 5 corrected 28 July 2011).

The test material is a chemical substance of Unknown or Variable Composition, Complex Reaction Products and Biological Materials (UVCB) with variable water solubility and as such falls into the category of a “difficult substance” as defined by the OECD Guidance Document (OECD Series on Testing and Assessment, No. 23 (2000); Guidance Document on Aquatic Toxicity Testing of Difficult Substances and Mixtures). Based on the recommendations of this guidance, the test solutions were prepared as Water Accommodated Fractions (WAFs).

The definitive test was conducted at nominal loading rates of 0.32, 1.0, 3.2, 10, 32 and 100 mg/L, which were selected based on the results of a range‑finding test, for which the key results only have been reported. A concurrent control group was also included.

Test vessels (250 mL conical flasks) were prepared containing 100 mL of the appropriate test or control medium. Each test vessel was inoculated with 1 x 10^4 algae cells/mL and incubated at 21 - 24°C (under 4440 - 8880 Lux light intensity) for 72 hours with cell counts at 24-hour intervals.

Samples of test media were analysed at 0 (new media) and 72 hours (expired test media)usinghigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF) based on quantitation of the branched dodecylbenzenamine fraction of the test substance. Analysis of the freshly prepared samples at 0 hours resulted in measured concentrations 0.116, 0.128, 0.176, 0.308, 1.20 and 4.55 mg/L for the 0.32, 1.0, 3.2, 10, 32 and 100 mg/L loading rate WAFs, respectively. The corresponding old pooled media samples resulted in measured concentrations of 0.00943, 0.0177, 0.0164, 0.0365, 0.142 and 0.576 mg/L. Given that the test substance isa UVCB[A1] and analytical monitoring was limited to the branched dodecylbenzenamine fraction of the test substance, the effect concentrations were based on nominal loading rates.

Based on nominal loading rates, the 72-hour EyL50 (yield) and the 0-72 hour ErL50 (growth rate) values were determined to be 3.6 and 20 mg/L loading rate WAF, respectively. The corresponding NOEL for yield and specific growth rate after 72 hours was less than 0.32 mg/L loading rate WAF, the lowest loading rate tested.

Description of key information

In an OECD 201 study, conducted according to GLP, the effect of the test substance on the growth of the freshwater green algae, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, was investigated and the 72-hour EyL50 and the 0-72 hour ErL50 values were calculated to be 3.6 and 20 mg/L loading rate WAF, respectively. The corresponding NOEL for yield and specific growth rate after 72 hours was less than 0.32 mg/L loading rate WAF, the lowest loading rate tested (Smithers Viscient (ESG) Ltd., 2018).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for freshwater algae:
20 mg/L

Additional information