Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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.
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 209-529-3 | CAS number: 584-08-7
Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Potassium carbonate is not expected to have an intrinsic toxic activity to aquatic plants.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
The abiotic dissociation of potassium carbonate in water results in the formation of potassium and carbonate ions. Potassium and carbonate are essential for almost all living organisms including aquatic plants and algae and natural components in their habitats. This is in line with the fact that standard guidelines, e. g. OECD 201, aquatic test media should be enriched with potassium (e. g. as KH2PO4) and carbonate (e. g. as NaHCO3) to ensure appropriate living conditions.
Potassium carbonate is an alkaline substance, which dissociates completely to form potassium cations (K+) and inorganic carbon species. Depending on pH of the receiving watersCO2is the predominant species at pH values below 6.35, while HCO3-is the predominant species at a pH in the range between 6.35 and 10.33 and CO32-is the predominant species at pH values above 10.33.
In the majority of the natural waters, pH levels are between 6 and 10. Thus HCO3-(pKa= 10.33) is the most important species for the buffer capacity. Therefore the pH will remain within environmentally expected ranges.Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
