Transformation/dissolution studies on the release of iron and chromium from particles of alloys compared with their pure metals and selected metal oxides

摘要

Transformation/dissolution (T/D) data for different Cr- and Fe-based alloys (a FeCr alloy, stainless steel AISI 316L, an alloy side product (SP) from stainless steel production) compared with their pure metals (Cr, Fe) and selected metal oxides (Cr_2O_3, Fe_3O_4) was generated and is used throughout the entire REACH assessment documentation of chromium metal and ferrochromium alloys to derive conclusions regarding their acute and chronic ecotoxicity hazard classification. Short and long term tests were conducted to assess data for acute and chronic aquatic toxicity following the recognized standardized T/D protocol. Tests were performed in media of different pH (pH 6.0 and pH 8.0), time periods, and solution composition, also investigating the effect of different experimental parameters. Generated data elucidates the complexity of the metal release process and its dependence on many interacting material-, surface-, and experimental factors as well as on the chemistry of the metal-water system being metal species specific. It is evident that the extent of metal release cannot be predicted by either the bulk or the surface composition, and that metal speciation measurements of released metals are essential to assess aquatic toxicity induced by metal/alloy particles. Observed released Fe and Cr concentrations were significantly lower than reported acute and chronic ecotoxicological endpoints.