Registration Dossier
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EC number: 273-729-7 | CAS number: 69012-29-9 By-product from the production of ferronickel from a complex ore. Consists primarily of oxides of aluminum, iron, magnesium and silicon.
Biodegradation in soil
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
The biodegradation is defined as the biologically mediated degradation or transformation of chemicals usually carried out by microorganisms. (Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment - Chapter R.7b: Endpoint specific guidance)
According to column 2 of Annex IX (standard information requirements for substances manufactured or imported in quantities of 100 tonnes or more) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 a simulation study on biodegradation in soil does not need to be conducted if direct and indirect exposure of soil is unlikely.
Ferronickel slags are solid substances which are mainly insoluble in water. Due to their physico-chemical properties they are not systemically and biologically available and do not cross biological membranes. In the aquatic compartment they can be considered as an inert substance.
Biologically mediated degradation or transformation of ferronickel slags carried out by microorganisms is therefore unlikely to occur.
The only constituent with water sensitive chemical bonds is elemental sulphur which is partially leached out by water and dissociates forming HS−, HSO4− and SO4= the species that predominate in the environment that might be found in nature. This indication is in agreement with the composition of all sulphur-containing minerals. However, the elemental content of sulphur in the ferronickel slag is not significant (maximum 0,6 w/w %)
In anaerobic environments sulphur ions are biologically reduced to (hydrogen) sulphide by sulphate-reducing bacteria, or incorporated into living organisms as source of sulphur, and thereby included in the biological sulphur cycle. Some sulphates may also be precipitated in form of naturally occurring minerals.
Since the components of Ferronickel slags, are inorganic substances, a study to determine the biodegradation in soil is not required under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH).
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
The biodegradation is defined as the biologically mediated degradation or transformation of chemicals usually carried out by microorganisms. (Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment - Chapter R.7b: Endpoint specific guidance)
According to column 2 of Annex IX (standard information requirements for substances manufactured or imported in quantities of 100 tonnes or more) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 a simulation study on biodegradation in soil does not need to be conducted if direct and indirect exposure of soil is unlikely.
Ferronickel slags are solid substances which are mainly insoluble in water. Due to their physico-chemical properties they are not systemically and biologically available and do not cross biological membranes. In the aquatic compartment they can be considered as an inert substance.
Biologically mediated degradation or transformation of ferronickel slags carried out by microorganisms is therefore unlikely to occur.
The only constituent with water sensitive chemical bonds is elemental sulphur which is partially leached out by water and dissociates forming H2S, HS−, HSO4−and SO4=the species that predominate in the environment that might be found in nature. This indication is in agreement with the composition of all sulphur-containing minerals. However, the elemental content of sulphur in the ferronickel slag is not significant (maximum 0,6 w/w %)
In anaerobic environments sulphur ions are biologically reduced to (hydrogen) sulphide by sulphate-reducing bacteria, or incorporated into living organisms as source of sulphur, and thereby included in the biological sulphur cycle. Some sulphates may also be precipitated in form of naturally occurring minerals.
Since the components of Ferronickel slags, are inorganic substances, a study to determine the biodegradation in soil is not required under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH).
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