Slags, ferronickel-manufg.

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

According to the results of a short term aquatic toxicity test of slags, ferronickel-manufg. on aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magma) the EC50 (48 h) of the test item is estimated to be > 100 mg /L (nominal). The corresponding EC0 (48 h) was 100 mg/L (nominal). This information is sufficient to support the lack of classification for acute aquatic toxicity, but for a PNEC derivation it is preferred to use information from long-term studies.

Additional information

The toxicity of Slags, ferronickel-manufg./Electric Furnace Slag/Converter Slag on Daphnia magna was tested in a 48 hour acute immobilisation test. The test was performed according to OECD Guideline 202.

Slags, ferronickel-manufg./Electric Furnace Slag/Converter Slag, Batch No:09/2010/FI/CS; Test species:Daphnia magna Straus, Clone V, age between 6 and 24 hours. Twenty organisms per test concentration (4 replicates of 5 animals each) were used. The duration of the test was 48 hours. A static test with concentrations of 0, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L (nominal) was performed. Test solutions were prepared by stirring 100 mg test item per liter test medium for 48 hours to achieve a saturated solution. The insoluble particles of the test item were separated from the liquid phase by filtration through a filter with 0.45 µm mean pore size (according to OECD Series on Testing and Assessment No. 23). The lower test item concentrations of 10 and 1 mg/L were prepared by dilution of the filtrate. Defined volumes were applied to the test vessels. Endpoints reported are the EC₅₀, EC₁₀₀and EC₀after 24 and 48 hours.Temperature, pH-value and oxygen concentration [% saturation] of the test solutions measured after 0, 24 and 48 hours are reported. Hardness of the test water was measured on the day of application.

The test was performed within the solubility limit of the test item. The maximum water solubility of the test item determined under test conditions for the nominal used concentration of 100 mg/L was not detectable for each of the analysed elements Al, Fe, Ni and Cr. Since the EC₀and the EC₅₀was found to be equal or above the maximum water solubility limit, the toxicological endpoints were evaluated using nominal concentrations of the test item.

The total hardness (as CaCO₃) of the untreated control was determined to be 9°dH; the mean pH-value of the untreated control was determined to be8.270.15 (Std. Dev.), the mean temperature was measured to be 20.80.4 °C (Std. Dev.) and the mean oxygen saturation was determined to be 1000.8 % (Std. Dev.).

According to the results of the test theEC₅₀(48 h)of the test item is estimated to be> 100 mg /L (nominal).The correspondingEC₀(48 h)was100 mg/L (nominal). Therefore, no acute aquatic hazards were identified for aquatic invertebrates.