Registration Dossier
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EC number: 234-373-8 | CAS number: 11129-15-0
Bioaccumulation: terrestrial
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Because calcium zirconium oxide has a low water solubility, only small amounts of calcium and zirconium may become available for uptake when the substance is released to the environment. Experimental data for zirconium confirm that there is no concern for bioaccumulation of this element in terrestrial organisms (all BSAF values well < 1). For calcium, although BSAF values > 1 were experimentally determined, the endpoint is not considered relevant, as calcium is an essential element and therefore internal calcium levels are actively regulated by organisms. Based on the available information, it is concluded that there is no concern for bioaccumulation of zirconium or calcium released from calcium zirconium oxide.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
1. Information on zirconium (dioxide)
In the study of Ferrand et al. (2006), transfer of zirconium from soil to tomato and pea plants was studied during a 7-day exposure period in two soils (an acidic and a calcareous soil) amended with either a soluble (zirconium dichloride oxide or zirconium acetate) or an insoluble zirconium compound (Zr(OH)4). Zirconium accumulated mainly in the roots, with zirconium adsorption to the root surface being of minor relevance. Translocation to aerial parts was limited. BSAF values for roots were the highest for zirconium acetate and the lowest for Zr(OH)4. They were all <=0.1. BSAF values for aerial parts were all <= 0.005 and were also generally the highest for zirconium acetate and the lowest for Zr(OH)4. These values are however all below 1, indicating that zirconium has a very limited potential for bioaccumulation in terrestrial organisms.
2. Information on calcium (oxide)
In soil, exposure to calcium oxide actually comes down to exposure to calcium ions and hydroxyl ions.
This endpoint is considered not to be relevant for calcium oxide. However, in the study of Mora et al. (1999), calcitic and/or dolomitic limestone were added to two different soils using different dosing levels (as well as a control treatment). Consequently, transfer of calcium from soil to plants (Lolium perenne, ryegrass) was studied. Based on the results of these experiments BSAF values ranging from 3.03 to 21.09 were calculated for calcium. These BSAF values are as expected, since calcium is an essential element to plants and internal calcium levels are actively regulated. This is also clear from the fact that the observed BSAF values increased with decreasing calcium content of the soil.
3. Conclusion on calcium zirconium oxide
Calcium zirconium oxide has a low water solubility and only small amounts of calcium and zirconium will become available for uptake when the substance is released to the environment (see Eidam, 2014, 2015). Based on the experimental results available for zirconium, it was concluded that there is no concern for bioaccumulation of zirconium in terrestrial organisms (all BSAF values < 1). For calcium, BSAF values > 1 were experimentally determined. However, since calcium is an essential element to plants and internal calcium levels are actively regulated, this should not be considered as bioaccumulation. Based on these data, it can be concluded that there is no potential for terrestrial bioaccumulation of calcium or zirconium released from calcium zirconium oxide.
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