4,4'-methylenedi-2,6-xylenol

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Justification for type of information:

Experimental test result performed according to the guideline.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

This study was designed to access the toxic effects of the test compound on the green alga Chlorella vulgaris. Test was conducted in compliance with the OECD guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test).

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

The test substance was prepared by adding 5 mg of test chemical in 100 ml of BBM to get the final concentration of 48.6 mg/L. The remaining test solutions were prepared by dilution from the above stock solution. To have a better growth and visibility of cells, the initial cell density of the culture was kept 1 X 104 cells/ml. Care was taken to have a homogeneous solution for the experiment.

Test organisms (species):

Chlorella vulgaris

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: green alga
- Source (laboratory, culture collection): National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur (Laboratory)
- Method of cultivation: Bold’s Basal Medium(BBM)


ACCLIMATION
- Culturing media and conditions (same as test or not): The medium to be used for the growth of algae was Bold’s Basal Medium (BBM). It is a medium composed of macronutrients, micronutrients, alkaline EDTA solution and Iron solution. Stock solution of each of these was prepared separately and then a complete medium was prepared and sterilized. De-ionized water was used to prepare the BBM
- Any deformed or abnormal cells observed: no

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

72 h

Post exposure observation period:

24, 48, 72 hrs

Test temperature:

22 °C±2°C

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal test concentration of 0.2 mg/l, 0.6 mg/l, 1.8 mg/l, 5.4 mg/l, 16.2 mg/l and 48.6 mg/l. All the six concentration were in geometric series spaced by a factor of 3.

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: Conical flasks
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: 100 ml conical flasks filled with 60 ml was used for the study.
- Initial cells density: 10000cells/ml
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10000cells/ml
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): Two replicates for each test concentration
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): Three replicates for Control

GROWTH MEDIUM
- Standard medium used: yes
- Detailed composition if non-standard medium was used: The medium to be used for the growth of algae was Bold’s Basal Medium (BBM). It is a medium composed of macronutrients, micronutrients, alkaline EDTA solution and Iron solution. Stock solution of each of these was prepared separately and then a complete medium was prepared and sterilized. De-ionized water was used to prepare the BBM.


OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Sterile test conditions: yes
- Adjustment of pH: Yes
- Photoperiod: 16 Hour Light Period : 8 Hour Dark Period
- Light intensity and quality: continuous, uniform fluorescent illumination(1500Lux)

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- Determination of cell concentrations: Spectrophotometer - The absorbance values of each test vessel and control vessel was noted at 680nm.The BBM was taken as blank for both control and test vessels. The absorbance value of each vessel was in line with the average specific growth rate.
- Chlorophyll measurement: No data
- Other: The cultures were observed daily with the help of a microscope to verify a normal and healthy appearance of the algal culture and also to
observe any abnormal appearance of the algae (as may be caused by the exposure of the test item). Apart from this, the cell count of each test vessel was also noted with the help of a microscope and haemocytometer.

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Spacing factor for test concentrations: All the six concentrations were in geometric series spaced by a factor of 2.
- Test concentrations: Six test concentration were: 6.25mg/l, 12.5mg/l, 25mg/l, 50mg/l,100mg/l and 200mg/l (Nominal concentrations)
- Results used to determine the conditions for the definitive study: Mortality of test organisms


Other:
Incubation :
1. The temperature of the orbital shaking incubator was kept constant throughout the period of exposure of the experiment. The temperature was maintained at 22 ° C±2°C.
2. The test vessels were incubated with a continuous, uniform fluorescent illumination (1500Lux).
3. The pH of the control cultures needs to be noted during the study and the pH of the control medium should not increase by more than 1.5 units during the test.
4. The orbital shaking incubator was set at a speed of 120 revolutions per minute throughout the study period. This is to provide constant shaking to the algal cells to keep them in suspension and to ensure that they do not settle down on the bottom of the test vessel.
5. Study duration : The experimental phase of the study was lasted for a period of 72 hours.

Reference substance (positive control):

not specified

Key result

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

other: EC30

Effect conc.:

18.05 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Remarks on result:

other: SE: 6.81mg/L

Reported statistics and error estimates:

To obtain a quantitative concentration-response relationship by regression analysis, a linearizing transformation of the response data into probit was performed. Using the same, effective concentration (EC) was determined.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

Based on the growth inhibition of green alga Chlorella vulgaris by the test chemical, the EC30 was determine to be 18.05 mg/L .

Executive summary:

The study was designed to assess the toxic effects of the test compound on the green alga Chlorella vulgaris. Test was conducted in compliance with the OECD guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test). For the assessment of algal growth, the test was conducted in replicates. The control flask was maintained in triplicates as recommended in the OECD guideline and the test concentration were selected in geometric series of 3, which were maintained in duplicates.

After 72 hours of exposure to test item to various nominal test concentrations, EC30 was determine to be 18.05 mg/l graphically and through probit analysis. Based on the EC30, it can be concluded that the test chemical can be classified into aq aquatic chronic 3 as per the CLP classification criteria.

Description of key information

The study was designed to assess the toxic effects of the test compound on the green alga Chlorella vulgaris. Test was conducted in compliance with the OECD guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test). For the assessment of algal growth, the test was conducted in replicates. The control flask was maintained in triplicates as recommended in the OECD guideline and the test concentration were selected in geometric series of 3, which were maintained in duplicates.

After 72 hours of exposure to test item to various nominal test concentrations, EC30 was determine to be 18.05 mg/l graphically and through probit analysis. Based on the EC30, it can be concluded that the test chemical can be classified into aq aquatic chronic 3 as per the CLP classification criteria.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for freshwater algae:

18.05 mg/L

Additional information

The study was designed to assess the toxic effects of the test compound on the green alga Chlorella vulgaris. Test was conducted in compliance with the OECD guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test). For the assessment of algal growth, the test was conducted in replicates. The control flask was maintained in triplicates as recommended in the OECD guideline and the test concentration were selected in geometric series of 3, which were maintained in duplicates.

After 72 hours of exposure to test item to various nominal test concentrations, EC30 was determine to be 18.05 mg/l graphically and through probit analysis. Based on the EC30, it can be concluded that the test chemical can be classified into aq aquatic chronic 3 as per the CLP classification criteria.