Bisisobutyryl peroxide

Toxicity to microorganisms

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

activated sludge respiration inhibition testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

02-12-2011 -07-12-2011

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study performed under GLP according the guideline meeting all validity criteria

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

minor deviation

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The average oxygen uptake rate for the control replicates was slightly lower than prescribed in the guideline

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage

Details on inoculum:

Unadapted secondary activated sludge was obtained (05-12-2011) from the WWTP Nieuwgraaf in Duiven. The WWTP Duiven is an activated sludge plant
treating predominantly domestic wastewater. Prior to use the activated sludge was homogenized with a syringe. The dry weight of the homogenized activated
sludge was determined and subsequently concentrated by settlement to the required dry weight concentration. The dry weight of the activated sludge in the
incubation vessels was 1.5 g/L.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

3 h

Test temperature:

Temperature of the reaction mixtures after the incubation period ranged from 20.0 to 20.9°C.

pH:

The pH of the reaction mixtures after the incubation period ranged from 6.9 to 7.5.

Dissolved oxygen:

aerobic during test

Nominal and measured concentrations:

The nominal concentrations of 3,5-Dichlorophenol tested were: 1.3, 2.5, 5.1, 10.2, 20.3 and 40.6 mg/L
The nominal concentrations of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide tested were: 36, 78, 160, 316 and 638.

Details on test conditions:

Test conditions:
The test was performed in 300 mL Erlenmeyer flasks with a total working volumes of 50 ml. The homogenized activated sludge was incubated in a
shaking water bath (100 rpm, 20°C) for 3 hours with various concentrations of the test compound and synthetic sewage.

Synthetic sewage feed and stocks:
The synthetic sewage feed was made by dissolving the following amounts of substances in 1 liter of deionized water:
16 g peptone,
11 g meat extract,
3 g urea,
0.7 g NaCl,
0.3 g CaCl2,
0.2 g MgSO4.7H2O,
2.8 g K2HPO4.
In the incubation vessels 1.6 mL of the synthetic sewage feed is added in a total volume of 50 mL.

Bisisobutyryl peroxide was weighed directly in the incubation vessels.
3,5-Dichlorophenol was added to the incubation vessels using a stock solution of approximately 1.0 g/L.
The stock solution of 3,5-dichlorophenol was prepared by dissolving 0.1046 g 3,5-dichlorophenol in
approximately 40 mL of deionized water with the addition of a few drops of 3 M NaOH.
Finally the pH was corrected with H2SO4 to approximately pH 7 and the solution was diluted further to 100 mL with deionized water.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

3,5-dichlorophenol

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

113 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Remarks on result:

other: 95% confidence limits of 50 mg/L and 198 mg/L

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

47 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Remarks on result:

other: yes

Details on results:

Test conditions
The pH of the reaction mixtures after the incubation period ranged from 6.9 to 7.5. Temperature varied from 20.0 to 20.9°C. These conditions allow
respiration of the activated sludge used.

Validity of the test
The test was performed on two subsequent days after collection of the activated sludge. The validity of the test is demonstrated by three criteria. First, the
coefficient of variation of the replicates of the control oxygen uptake rates was 5% on the first day and 6% on the second day, which fulfils the maximum
prescribed variation of <30%. Secondly, an oxygen uptake rate of >20 mg O2/g dry weight/hour for the control measurements, was not achieved on the
first day (18 mg O2/g dry weight/hour) and was met on the second day (36 mg O2/g dry weight/hour). Oxygen uptake rate measurements were very
accurate on the first day as shown by the very low coefficient of variation. Therefore this is a minor deviation which does not invalidate the test.
The inoculum used, was obtained from a treatment plant which is operated at a low organic sludge load which is common. Low organic loads result in
low oxygen uptake of the sludge. According the guideline activated sludge used should be fed with synthetic sewage feed, for a maximum of two additional days, when used after the day of collection. Adding synthetic sewage feed leads to an increase of the oxygen uptake rate of the activated sludge. The toxicity of the test substance was assessed two days after collection of the activated sludge. To determine if the sensitivity of the activated sludge was changed due to the increased oxygen uptake rate the reference substance was measured again. The third criterion was met as shown by the EC50 of the reference
compound of 12 mg/L on the first day and 15 mg/L on the second day, which is within the prescribed range of 2 to 25 mg/L (Table I-II and Figure 1-2).
From these EC50 values it can also be concluded that the sensitivity of the activated does not significantly change due to the increased oxygen uptake rate.

Activated sludge respiration inhibition test
The calculated respiration rates and inhibition percentages of bisisobutyryl peroxide are presented in Table III and the results of the graphical probit analysis
are shown in Figure 3. The inhibitory effect of bisisobutyryl peroxide at a particular concentration is expressed as a percentage of the two controls. From
the results EC values were calculated. The EC50 of bisisobutyryl peroxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 113 mg/L with 95% confidence
limits of 50 and 198 mg/L. The EC10, EC20 and EC80 are 47, 64 and 200 mg/L, respectively. Bisisobutyryl peroxide is therefore considered harmless to
activated sludge

Results with reference substance (positive control):

The EC50 of the reference compound (3,5-dichlorophenol) was 12 mg/L on the first day and 15 mg/L on the second day which is both within the prescribed range of 2 to 25 mg/L

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Remarks:

see details on results

Conclusions:

The test was performed on two subsequent days after collection of the activated sludge. The test is valid as shown by the coefficient of variation of
the replicates of the control oxygen uptake rates (5% on the first day and 6% on the second day), the EC50 of the reference compound 3,5-dichlorophenol (12 mg/L on the first day and 15 mg/L on the second day) and the average control oxygen uptake rate of 18 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the first day and 36 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the second day. The oxygen uptake rate on the first day is slightly lower than prescribed. Accurate oxygen uptake rate measurements were very well possible as shown by the very low coefficient of variation. Therefore this is a minor deviation which does not invalidate the test.
The increase in the oxygen uptake rates on the second day compared to the first day does not significantly influence the sensitivity of the activated sludge
as shown by the EC50 values of the reference substance. The toxicity of bisisobutyryl peroxide to activated sludge was determined at a contact time of 3 hours, using various concentrations of the test substance. The inhibitory effect of bisisobutyryl peroxide at a particular concentration is expressed as a percentage of the two controls. The EC50 of bisisobutyryl peroxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 113 mg/L with 95% confidence
limits of 50 and 198 mg/L. The EC10, EC20 and EC80 are 47, 64 and 200 mg/L, respectively. bisisobutyryl peroxide is therefore considered harmless to
activated sludge.

Executive summary:

In order to predict effects of chemicals in the environment and in biological waste water treatment plants, an activated sludge respiration inhibition test was performed. The toxicity to activated sludge was determined in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 209, and in compliance with the OECD principles of Good Laboratory Practice. The test was performed on two subsequent days after collection of the activated sludge. The test is valid as shown by the coefficient of variation of the replicates of the control oxygen uptake rates (5% on the first day and 6% on the second day), the EC50 of the reference compound 3,5-dichlorophenol (12 mg/L on the first day and 15 mg/L on the second day) and the average control oxygen uptake rate of 18 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the first day and 36 mg O2/g dry weight/hour on the second day. The oxygen uptake rate on the first day is slightly lower than prescribed. Accurate oxygen uptake rate measurements were very well possible as shown by the very low coefficient of variation. Therefore this is a minor deviation which does not invalidate the test. The increase in the oxygen uptake rates on the second day compared to the first day does not significantly influence the sensitivity of the activated sludge as shown by the EC50 values of the reference substance. The toxicity of bisisobutyryl peroxide to activated sludge was determined at a contact time of 3 hours, using various concentrations of the test substance. The inhibitory effect of bisisobutyryl peroxide at a particular concentration is expressed as a percentage of the two controls. The EC50 of bisisobutyryl peroxide for activated sludge after 3 hours contact time is 113 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 50 and 198 mg/L. The EC10, EC20 and EC80 are 47, 64 and 200 mg/L, respectively. bisisobutyryl peroxide is therefore considered harmless to activated sludge.

Description of key information

Test data indicates low  toxicity to sewage treatment microrganisms.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:

115 mg/L

EC10 or NOEC for microorganisms:

47 mg/L

Additional information

Due to the test substance being soluble a dose response curve with confidence limits was achieved and both an EC50 and EC10 could be generated. The EC50 indicates that the substance is not highly toxic for sewage treatment microorganisms. Due to the instability of the test substance in water and the readily biodegradable degradation products formed, removal is expected to be complete and a sewage treatment plant is unlikely to be adversely affected.