[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 31]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR799.6786]



[Page 311-321]

 

                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

 

         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 799_IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE AND MIXTURE 

TESTING REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents

 

              Subpart E_Product Properties Test Guidelines

 

Sec.  799.6786  TSCA water solubility: Generator column method.



    (a) Scope--(1) Applicability. This section is intended to meet the 

testing requirements of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15 

U.S.C. 2601).

    (2) Source. The source material used in developing this TSCA test 

guideline is the Office of Pollution Prevention, Pesticides and Toxics 

(OPPTS) harmonized test guideline 830.7860 (March 1998, revised final 

guideline). The source is available at the address in paragraph (e) of 

this section.

    (b) Introduction--(1) Purpose. (i) The water solubility of a 

chemical is defined as the equilibrium concentration of the chemical in 

a saturated aqueous solution at a given temperature and pressure. The 

aqueous phase solubility is an important factor in governing the 

movement, distribution, and rate of degradation of chemicals in the 

environment. Substances that are relatively water soluble are more 

likely to be widely distributed by the hydrologic cycle than those which 

are relatively insoluble. Furthermore, substances with higher water 

solubility are more likely to undergo microbial or chemical degradation 

in the environment because dissolution makes them ``available'' to 

interact and, therefore, react with other chemicals and microorganisms. 

Both the extent and rate of degradation via hydrolysis, photolysis, 

oxidation, reduction, and biodegradation depend on a chemical being 

soluble in water (i.e., homogeneous kinetics).

    (ii) Water provides the medium in which many organisms live, and 

water is a major component of the internal environment of all living 

organisms (except for dormant stages of certain life forms). Even 

organisms which are adapted to life in a gaseous environment require 

water for normal functioning. Water is thus the medium through which 

most other chemicals are transported to and into living cells. As a 

result, the extent to which chemicals dissolve in water will be a major 

determinant for movement through the environment and entry into living 

systems.

    (iii) The water solubility of a chemical also has an effect on its 

sorption into and desorption from soils and sediments, and on 

volatilization from aqueous media. The more soluble a chemical substance 

is, the less likely it is to sorb to soils and sediments and the less 

likely it is to volatilize from water. Finally, the design of most 

chemical tests and many ecological and health tests requires precise 

knowledge of the water solubility of the chemical to be tested.

    (2) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section.



[[Page 312]]



    Concentration (C) of a solution is the amount of solute in a given 

amount of solvent or solution and can be expressed as a weight/weight or 

weight/volume relationship. The conversion from a weight relationship to 

one of volume incorporates density as a factor. For dilute aqueous 

solutions, the density of the solvent is approximately equal to the 

density of the solution; thus, concentrations expressed in milligrams 

per liter (mg/L) are approximately equal to 10-3 g/10\3\ g or 

parts per million (ppm); those expressed in micrograms per liter 

([micro]g/L) are approximately equal to 10-6 g/10\3\ g or 

parts per billion (ppb). In addition, concentration can be expressed in 

terms of molarity, normality, molality, and mole fraction. For example, 

to convert from weight/volume to molarity molecular mass is incorporated 

as a factor.

    Density is the mass of a unit volume of a material. It is a function 

of temperature, hence the temperature at which it is measured should be 

specified. For a solid, it is the density of the impermeable portion 

rather than the bulk density. For solids and liquids, suitable units of 

measurement are grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm\3\). The density of a 

solution is the mass of a unit volume of the solution and suitable units 

of measurement are g/cm\3\.

    Extractor column is used to extract the solute from the saturated 

solutions produced by the generator column. After extraction onto a 

chromatographic support, the solute is eluted with a solvent/water 

mixture and subsequently analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography 

(HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), or any other suitable analytical 

procedure. A detailed description of the preparation of the extractor 

column is given in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this section.

    Generator column is used to produce or generate saturated solutions 

of a solute in a solvent. The column, see figure 1 in paragraph 

(c)(1)(i)(A) of this section, is packed with a solid support coated with 

the solute, i.e., the organic compound whose solubility is to be 

determined. When water (the solvent) is pumped through the column, 

saturated solutions of the solute are generated. Preparation of the 

generator column is described in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section.

    Response factor (RF) is the solute concentration required to give a 

1 unit area chromatographic peak or 1 unit output from the HPLC 

recording integrator at a particular recorder attenuation. The factor is 

required to convert from units of area to units of concentration. The 

determination of the RF is given in paragraph (c)(3)(ii)(B)(2) of this 

section.

    Sample loop is a \1/16\ inch (in) outer diameter (O.D.) (1.6 

millimeter (mm)) stainless steel tube with an internal volume between 20 

and 50 [micro]L. The loop is attached to the sample injection valve of 

the HPLC and is used to inject standard solutions into the mobile phase 

of the HPLC when determining the RF for the recording integrator. The 

exact volume of the loop must be determined as described in paragraph 

(c)(3)(ii)(B)(1) of this section when the HPLC method is used.

    Saturated solution is a solution in which the dissolved solute is in 

equilibrium with an excess of undissolved solute; or a solution in 

equilibrium such that at a fixed temperature and pressure, the 

concentration of the solute in the solution is at its maximum value and 

will not change even in the presence of an excess of solute.

    Solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances 

constituting a single phase.

    (3) Principle of the test method. (i) This test method is based on 

the dynamic coupled column liquid chromatographic (DCCLC) technique for 

determining the aqueous solubility of organic compounds that was 

initially developed by May et al. (as described in the references listed 

in paragraphs (e)(5) and (e)(6) of this section), modified by DeVoe et 

al. (as described in the reference listed in paragraph (e)(1) of this 

section), and finalized by Wasik et al. (as described in the reference 

listed in paragraph (e)(11) of this section). The DCCLC technique 

utilizes a generator column, extractor column and HPLC coupled or 

interconnected to provide a continuous closed flow system. Saturated 

aqueous solutions of the test compound are produced by pumping water 

through the generator column that is packed with a



[[Page 313]]



solid support coated with the compound. The compound is extracted from 

the saturated solution onto an extractor column, then eluted from the 

extractor column with a solvent/water mixture and subsequently analyzed 

by HPLC using a variable wavelength ultraviolet (UV) detector operating 

at a suitable wavelength. Chromatogram peaks are recorded and integrated 

using a recording integrator. The concentration of the compound in the 

effluent from the generator column, i.e., the water solubility of the 

compound, is determined from the mass of the compound (solute) extracted 

from a measured volume of water (solvent).

    (ii) Since the HPLC method is only applicable to compounds that 

absorb in the UV, an alternate GC method, or any other reliable 

procedure (which must be approved by OPPTS), can be used for those 

compounds that do not absorb in the UV. In the GC method the saturated 

solutions produced in the generator column are extracted using an 

appropriate organic solvent that is subsequently injected into the GC, 

or any other suitable analytical device, for analysis of the test 

compound.

    (4) Reference chemicals. Table 1 of this section lists the water 

solubilities at 25 [deg]C for a number of reference chemicals as 

obtained from the scientific literature. The data from Wasik et al. (as 

described in the reference listed in paragraph (e)(11) of this section), 

Miller et al. and Tewari et al. (as described in the references listed 

in paragraphs (e)(7) and (e)(10) of this section, respectively) were 

obtained from the generator column method. The water solubilities data 

were also obtained from Mackay et al. and Yalkowski et al. (as described 

in the references listed in paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(12) of this 

section, respectively) and other scientists by the conventional shake 

flask method. These data have been provided primarily so that the 

generator column method can be calibrated from time to time and to allow 

the chemical testing laboratory an opportunity to compare its results 

with those listed in table 1 of this section. The water solubility 

values at 25 [deg]C reported by Yalkowski et al. are their preferred 

values and, in general, represent the best available water solubility 

data at 25 [deg]C. The testing laboratory has the option of choosing its 

own reference chemicals, but references must be given to establish the 

validity of the measured values of the water solubility.



                      Table 1--Water Solubilities at 25 [deg]C of Some Reference Chemicals

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                   Water solubility (ppm at 25 [deg]C)

                                                        --------------------------------------------------------

                   Reference chemical                     Wasik (generator                      Other literature

                                                           column method)    Yalkowski\1\ \5\      references

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2-Heptanone............................................       \2\4080              4300             \5\4330

1-Chlorobutane.........................................        \2\873             872.9              \7\666

Ethylbenzene...........................................        \2\187              208               \7\162

1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene.................................       \2\65.5              75.2             \7\48.2

Biphenyl...............................................     \3\ \10\6.71           7.48             \8\6.62

Phenanthrene...........................................       \4\1.002            1.212                --

2,4,6-Trichlorobiphenyl................................    \3\ \10\0.226          0.225             \8\0.119

2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorobiphenyl............................    \3\ \10\0.0209        0.01396           \8\0.0192

Hexachlorobenzene......................................          --              0.004669          \9\0.00996

2,3,4,5,6-Pentachlorobiphenyl..........................   \3\ \10\0.00548        0.004016          \8\0.0068

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Preferred water solubility at 25 [deg]C by Yalkowski et al. (1990) in paragraph (e)(12) of this section

  based on a critical review of all the experimental water solubility data published.

\2\ Tewari et al. (1982) in paragraph (e)(10) of this section.

\3\ Leifer et al. (1983) in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

\4\ May, Wasik, and Freeman (1978, 1978a) in paragraphs (e)(5) and (6) of this section.

\5\ Yalkowski et al. (1990) in paragraph (e)(12) of this section.

\6\ Hansch et al. (1968) in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

\7\ Sutton and Calder (1975) in paragraph (e)(9) of this section.

\8\ Mackay et al. (1980) in paragraph (e)(4) of this section.

\9\ The elution chromatographic method from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (1981)

  in paragraph (e)(8) of this section.

\10\ Miller et al. (1984) in paragraph (e)(7) of this section.





[[Page 314]]



    (5) Applicability and specificity. (i) Procedures are described in 

this section to determine the water solubility for liquid or solid 

compounds. The water solubility can be determined in very pure water, 

buffer solution for compounds that reversibly ionize or protonate, or in 

artificial seawater as a function of temperature (i.e., in the range of 

temperatures of environmental concern). This section is not applicable 

to the water solubility of gases.

    (ii) This section is designed to determine the water solubility of a 

solid or liquid test chemical in the range of 1 ppb to 5,000 ppm. For 

chemicals whose solubility is below 1 ppb, the water solubility should 

be characterized as ``less than 1 ppb'' with no further quantification. 

For solubilities greater than 5,000 ppm, the shake flask method should 

be used, see paragraph (e)(15) of this section.

    (c) Test procedure--(1) Test conditions--(i) Special laboratory 

equipment--(A) Generator column. (1) Either of two different designs 

shall be used depending on whether the eluted aqueous phase is analyzed 

by HPLC in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section or by solvent extraction 

followed by GC (or any other reliable quantitative) analysis of solvent 

extract in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. The design of the 

generator column is shown in the following figure 1:

                       Figure 1--Generator Column

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.055



    (2) The column consists of a 6 mm (\1/4\ in) O.D. pyrex tube joined 

to a short enlarged section of 9 mm pyrex tubing which in turn is 

connected to another section of 6 mm (\1/4\ in) O.D. pyrex tubing. 

Connections to the inlet teflon tubing (\1/8\ in O.D.) and to the outlet 

stainless steel tubing (\1/16\ in O.D.) shall be made by means of 

stainless steel fittings with teflon ferrules. The column



[[Page 315]]



is enclosed in a water jacket for temperature control as shown in the 

following figure 2:

Figure 2--Setup Showing Generator Column Enclosed in a Water Jacket and 

       Overall Arrangement of the Apparatus Used in the GC Method

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.056



    (B) Constant temperature bath with circulation pump-bath and capable 

of controlling temperature to 0.05 [deg]C, see 

paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

    (C) HPLC equipped with a variable wavelenth UV absorption detector 

operating at a suitable wavelength and a recording integrator in 

paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section.

    (D) Extractor column--6.6 x 0.6 cm stainless steel tube with end 

fittings containing 5 [micro]m frits filled with a superficially porous 

phase packing (Bondapack C18/Corasil: Waters Associates) in paragraph 

(c)(3)(ii) of this section.

    (E) Two 6-port high-pressure rotary switching valves in paragraph 

(c)(3)(ii) of this section.

    (F) Collection vessel--8 x \3/4\ in section of pyrex tubing with a 

flat bottom connected to a short section of \3/8\ in O.D. borosilicate 

glass tubing in figure 2 in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A)(2) of this section. 

The collecting vessel is sealed with a \3/8\ in teflon cap fitting in 

paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section.

    (G) GC, or any other reliable analytical equipment, which has a 

detector sensitive to the solute of interest in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of 

this section.

    (ii) Purity of water. Water meeting appropriate American Society for 

Testing and Materials (ASTM) Type II standards, or an equivalent grade, 

are recommended to minimize the effects of dissolved salts and other 

impurities on water solubility. ASTM Type II water is presented in the 

reference listed in paragraph (e)(13) of this section.

    (iii) Purity of solvents. All solvents used in this method must be 

reagent or HPLC grade. Solvents must contain no impurities which could 

interfere with the determination of the test compound.

    (iv) Seawater. When the water solubility in seawater is desired, the 

artificial seawater described in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section 

must be used.

    (v) Effect of pH on solubility. For chemicals that reversibly ionize 

or protonate with a pKa or pKb between 3 and 11, 

experiments must be performed at pH's 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0 using 

appropriate buffers.

    (2) Preparation of reagents and solutions--(i) Buffer solutions. 

Prepare buffer solutions as follows:

    (A) pH 3.0--to 250 mL of 0.10M potassium hydrogen phosphate add 111 

mL of 0.10 M hydrochloric acid; adjust the final volume to 500 mL with 

reagent grade water.

    (B) pH 5.0--to 250 mL of 0.1M potassium hydrogen phthalate add 113 

mL of 0.1M sodium hydroxide; adjust the final volume to 500 mL with 

reagent grade water.

    (C) pH 7.0--to 250 mL of 0.1M potassium dihydrogen phosphate add 145 

mL of 0.1M sodium hydroxide; adjust the final volume to 500 mL with 

reagent grade water.

    (D) pH 9.0--to 250 mL of 0.075M borax add 69 mL of 0.1M HCl; adjust 

the final volume to 500 mL with reagent grade water.

    (E) pH 11.0--to 250 mL of 0.05 M sodium bicarbonate add 3 mL of 0.10 

M



[[Page 316]]



sodium hydroxide; adjust the final volume to 500 mL with reagent grade 

water.

    (ii) Check the pH of each buffer solution with a pH meter at 25 

[deg]C and adjust to pH 5.0, 7.0, or 9.0, if necessary. If the pH of the 

solution has changed by 0.2 pH units or more after 

the addition of the test compound, then a more concentrated buffer is 

required for that pH determination. The sponsor should then choose a 

more suitable buffer.

    (iii) Artificial seawater. Add the reagent-grade chemicals listed in 

table 2 of this section in the specified amounts and order to 890 mL of 

reagent-grade water. Each chemical shall be dissolved before another one 

is added.



             Table 2--Constituents of Artificial Seawater\1\

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Chemical                              Amount

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NaF..................................................               3 mg

SrCl2.6H2O...........................................              20 mg

H3BO3................................................              30 mg

KBr..................................................             100 mg

KCl..................................................             700 mg

CaCl2.2H2O...........................................      1.47 gram (g)

Na2SO4...............................................             4.00 g

MgCl2.6H2O...........................................            10.78 g

NaCl.................................................            23.50 g

Na2SiO3.9H2O.........................................              20 mg

NaHCO3...............................................            200 mg

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ If the resulting solution is diluted to 1 L, the salinity should be

  34 0.5 g/kilogram (kg) and the pH 8.0 0.2. The desired test salinity is attained by dilution

  at time of use.



    (3) Performance of the test. Using either the procedures in 

paragraph (c)(3)(ii) or (c)(3)(iii) of this section, determine the water 

solubility of the test compound at 25 [deg]C in reagent-grade water or 

buffer solution, as appropriate. Under certain circumstances, it may be 

necessary to determine the water solubility of a test compound at 25 

[deg]C in artificial seawater. The water solubility can also be 

determined at other temperatures of environmental concern by adjusting 

the temperature of the water bath to the appropriate temperature.

    (i) Prior to the determination of the water solubility of the test 

chemical, two procedures shall be followed.

    (A) The saturated aqueous solution leaving the generator column must 

be tested for the presence of an emulsion, using a Tyndall procedure. If 

colloids are present, they must be eliminated prior to the injection 

into the extractor column. This may be achieved by lowering the flow 

rate of the water.

    (B) The efficiency of the removal of the solute (i.e. test chemical) 

by the solvent extraction from the extraction column must be determined 

and used in the determination of the water solubility of the test 

chemical.

    (ii) Procedure A--HPLC method--(A) Scope. (1) Procedure A covers the 

determination of the aqueous solubility of compounds which absorb in the 

UV.

    (i) The HPLC analytical system is shown schematically in the 

following figure 3:



        Figure 3--Schematic of HPLC--Generator Column Flow System

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.057





[[Page 317]]





    (ii) Two reciprocating piston pumps deliver the mobile phase (water 

or solvent/water mixture) through two 6-port high-pressure rotary valves 

and a 30 x 0.6 cm C18/Corasil analytical column to a variable wavelength 

UV absorption detector operating at a suitable wavelength; chromatogram 

peaks are recorded and integrated with a recording integrator. One of 

the 6-port valves is the sample injection valve used for injecting 

samples of standard solutions of the solute in an appropriate 

concentration for determining RFs of standard solutions of basic 

chromate for determining the sample-loop volume. The other 6-port valve 

in the system serves as a switching valve for the extractor column which 

is used to remove solute from the aqueous solutions.

    (2) The general procedure for analyzing the aqueous phase is as 

follows (a detailed procedure is given in paragraph (c)(3)(ii)(B)(4) of 

this section).

    (i) Direct the aqueous solution to ``Waste,'' see figure 3 in 

paragraph (c)(3)(ii)(A)(1)(i) of this section, with the switching valve 

in the inject position in order to equilibrate internal surfaces with 

the solution, thus ensuring that the analyzed sample would not be 

depleted by solute adsorption on surfaces upstream from the valve.

    (ii) At the same time, water is pumped from the HPLC pumps in order 

to displace the solvent from the extractor column.

    (iii) The switching valve is next changed to the load position to 

divert a sample of the solution through the extractor column, and the 

liquid leaving this column is collected in a weighing bottle. During 

this extraction step, the mobile phase is changed to a solvent/water 

mixture to condition the analytical column.

    (iv) After the desired volume of sample is extracted, the switching 

valve is returned to the inject position for elution and analysis. 

Assuming that there is no breakthrough of solute from the extractor 

column during the extraction step, the chromatographic peak represents 

all of the solute in the sample, provided that the extraction efficiency 

is 100%. If the extraction efficiency is less than 100%, then the 

extraction efficiency shall be used to determine the actual weight of 

the solute extracted.

    (v) The solute concentration in the aqueous phase is calculated from 

the peak area and the weight of the extracted liquid collected in the 

weighing bottle.

    (B) Determinations--(1) Sample-loop volume. Accurate measurement of 

the sample loop may be accomplished by using the spectrophotometric 

method of Devoe et al. under paragraph (e)(1) of this section. For this 

method measure absorbance, Aloop, at 373 nm of at least three 

solutions, each of which is prepared by collecting from the sample valve 

an appropriate number, n, of loopfuls of an aqueous stock solution of 

K2CrO4 (1.3% by weight) and diluting to 50 mL with 

0.2% KOH. (For a 20 [micro]L loop, use n = 5; for a 50 [micro]L loop, 

use n = 2.) Also measure the absorbance, Astock, of the same 

stock solution after diluting 1:500 with 0.2% KOH. Calculate the loop 

volume to the nearest 0.1 [micro]L using the equation:



                               Equation 1:

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.059



    (2) RF. (i) For all determinations adjust the mobile phase solvent/

water ratio and flow rate to obtain a reasonable retention time on the 

HPLC column. For example, typical concentrations of solvent in the 

mobile phase range from 50 to 100% while flow rates range from 1 to 3 

mL/min; these conditions give a 3 to 5 min retention time.

    (ii) Prepare standard solutions of known concentrations of the 

solute in a suitable solvent. Concentrations must give a recorder 

response within the maximum response of the detector. Inject samples of 

each standard solution into the HPLC system using the calibrated sample 

loop. Obtain an average peak area from at least three injections of each 

standard sample at a set absorbance unit full scale (AUFS), i.e., at the 

same absorbance scale attenuation setting.

    (iii) Calculate the RF from the following equation:



                               Equation 2:



[[Page 318]]



[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.058



    (3) Loading of the generator column. (i) The design of the generator 

column was described in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section and is shown 

in figure 1 in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section. To pack the 

column, a plug of silanized glass wool is inserted into one end of the 6 

mm pyrex tubing. Silanized diatomaceous silica support (about 0.5g 100-

120 mesh Chromosorb (W) chromatographic support material) is poured into 

the tube with tapping and retained with a second plug of silanized glass 

wool.

    (ii) If the solute is a liquid, the column is loaded by pulling the 

liquid solute through the dry support with gentle suction. If the solute 

is a solid, a 1% solution of the solid in a volatile solvent is added to 

the dry packing. The solvent is then distilled off the column under 

reduced pressure. After loading the column draw water up through the 

column to remove entrapped air.

    (4) Analysis of the solute. Use the following procedure to collect 

and analyze the solute.

    (i) With the switching valve (figure 3 in paragraph 

(c)(3)(ii)(A)(1)(i) of this section) in the inject position (i.e., water 

to waste), pump water through the generator column at a flow rate of 

approximately 1 mL/min for approximately 5 minutes (min) to bring the 

system into equilibrium. Pump water to the generator column by means of 

a minipump or pressurized water reservoir as shown in the following 

figure 4:

                 Figure 4--Water Reservoir for GC Method

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.060



    (ii) Flush out the solvent that remains in the system from previous 

runs by changing the mobile phase to 100% H2O and allowing 

the water to reach the HPLC detector, as indicated by a negative 

reading. As soon as this occurs, place a 25 mL weighing bottle (weighed 

to the nearest mg) at the waste position and immediately turn the 

switching valve to the load position.

    (iii) Collect an amount of water (as determined by trial and error) 

in the weighing bottle, corresponding to the amount of solute adsorbed 

by the extractor column that gives a large on-scale detector response. 

During this extraction step, switch back to the original HPLC mobile 

phase composition, i.e., solvent/water mixture, to condition the HPLC 

analytical column.

    (iv) After the desired volume of sample has been extracted, turn the



[[Page 319]]



switching valve back to the inject position (figure 3 in paragraph 

(c)(3)(ii)(A)(1)(i) of this section); at the same time turn on the 

recording integrator. The solvent/water mobile phase will elute the 

solute from the extractor column and transfer the solute to the HPLC 

analytical column.

    (v) Remove the weighing bottle, cap it, and replace it with the 

waste container. Determine the weight of water collected to the nearest 

mg and record the corresponding peak area. Using the same AUFS setting 

repeat the analysis of the solute at least two more times and determine 

the average ratio of peak area to grams of water collected. In this 

equation, s = solubility (M), RF = response factor, Vloop = 

sample-loop volume (L), and R = ratio of area to grams of water. 

Calculate the solute solubility in water using the following equation:



                               Equation 3:

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.061



    (iii) Procedure B--GC method--(A) Scope. In the GC method, or any 

other analytical method, aqueous solutions from the generator column 

enter a collecting vessel (figure 2 in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A)(2) of this 

section) containing a known weight of extracting solvent which is 

immiscible in water. The outlet of the generator column is positioned 

such that the aqueous phase always enters below the extracting solvent. 

After the aqueous phase is collected, the collecting vessel is stoppered 

and the quantity of aqueous phase is determined by weighing. The solvent 

and the aqueous phase are equilibrated by slowly rotating the collecting 

vessel. The extraction efficiency of the solvent must be determined at 

this time. A small amount of the extracting solvent is removed and 

injected into a gas chromograph equipped with an appropriate detector. 

The solute concentration in the aqueous phase is determined from a 

calibration curve constructed using known concentrations of the solute.

    (B) Alternative method. If another (approved) analytical method is 

used instead of the GC, that method shall be used to determine 

quantitatively the amount of solute present in the extraction solvent.

    (C) Determinations--(1) Calibration curve. (i) Prepare solute 

standard solutions of concentrations covering the range of the solute 

solubility. Select a column and optimum GC operating conditions for 

resolution between the solute and solvent and the solute and extracting 

solvent. Inject a known volume of each standard solution into the 

injection port of the GC. For each standard solution determine the 

average of the ratio R of peak area to volume (in microliters) for three 

chromatographic peaks from three injections.

    (ii) After running all the standard solutions, determine the 

coefficients, a and b, using a linear regression equation of C vs. R in 

the following form:



                               Equation 4:

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.062



    (iii) If another analytical method is used, the procedures described 

in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(C)(1) of this section shall be used to 

determine quantitatively the amount of solute in the extraction solvent.

    (2) Loading of the generator column. The generator column is packed 

and loaded with solute in the same manner as for the HPLC method 

described under paragraph (c)(3)(ii)(B)(3) of this section. As shown in 

figure 2 in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A)(2) of this section, attach 

approximately 20 cm of straight stainless steel tubing to the bottom of 

the generator column. Connect the top of the generator column to a water 

reservoir (figure 4 in paragraph (c)(3)(ii)(B)(4)(i) of this section) 

using teflon tubing. Use air or nitrogen pressure (5 PSI) from an air or 

nitrogen cylinder to force water from the reservoir through the column. 

Collect water in an Erlenmeyer flask for approximately 15 min while the 

solute concentration in water equilibrates; longer time may be required 

for less soluble compounds.

    (3) Collection and extraction of the solute. During the 

equilibration time, add a known weight of extracting solvent to a 

collection vessel which can be capped. The extracting solvent should



[[Page 320]]



cover the bottom of the collection vessel to a depth sufficient to 

submerge the collecting tube but still maintain 100:1 water/solvent 

ratio. Record the weight (to the nearest mg) of a collection vessel with 

cap and extracting solvent. Place the collection vessel under the 

generator column so that water from the collecting tube enters below the 

level of the extracting solvent (figure 2 in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A)(2) 

of this section). When the collection vessel is filled, remove it from 

under the generator column, replace cap, and weigh the filled vessel. 

Determine the weight of water collected. Before analyzing for the 

solute, gently shake the collection vessel contents for approximately 30 

min, controlling the rate of shaking so as not to form an emulsion; 

rotating the flask end over end five times per minute is sufficient.

    (4) Analysis of the solute. (i) After shaking, allow the collection 

vessel to stand for approximately 30 min; then remove a known volume of 

the extracting solvent from the vessel using a microliter syringe and 

inject it into the GC. Record the ratio of peak area to volume injected 

and, from the regression equation of the calibration line, determine the 

concentration of solute in the extracting solvent. In this equation, 

Ces is the concentration of solute in extracting solvent (M), 

dH2O and des are the densities of water and 

extracting solvent, respectively, and ges and gH2O 

are the grams of extracting solvent and water, respectively, contained 

in the collection vessel. The concentration of solute in water C(M) is 

determined from the following equation:



                               Equation 5:

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15DE00.063



    (ii) Make replicate injections from each collecting vessel to 

determine the average solute concentration in water for each vessel. To 

make sure the generator column has reached equilibrium, run at least two 

additional (for a total of three) collection vessels and analyze the 

extracted solute as described above. Calculate the water solubility of 

the solute from the average solute concentration in the three vessels.

    (iv) Modification of procedures for potential problems. If the test 

compound decomposes in one or more of the aqueous solvents required 

during the period of the test at a rate such that an accurate value for 

water solubility cannot be obtained, then it will be necessary to carry 

out detailed transformation studies; e.g., hydrolysis in paragraph 

(e)(16) of this section. If decomposition is due to aqueous photolysis, 

then it will be necessary to carry out water solubility studies in the 

dark, under red or yellow lights, or by any other suitable method to 

eliminate this transformation process.

    (d) Data and reporting--(1) Test report. (i) For each set of 

conditions, (e.g., temperature, pure water, buffer solution, artificial 

seawater) required for the study, provide the water solubility value for 

each of three determinations, the mean value, and the standard 

deviation.

    (ii) For compounds that decompose at a rate such that a precise 

value for the water solubility cannot be obtained, provide a statement 

to that effect.

    (iii) For compounds with water solubility below 1 ppb, report the 

value as ``less than 1 ppb.''

    (2) Specific analytical, calibration, and recovery procedures. (i) 

For the HPLC method describe and/or report:

    (A) The method used to determine the sample-loop volume and the 

average and standard deviation of that volume.

    (B) The average and standard deviation of the RF.

    (C) Any changes made or problems encountered in the test procedure.

    (ii) For the GC, or any other analytical, method report:

    (A) The column and GC operating conditions of temperature and flow 

rate, or the operating conditions of any other analytical method used.

    (B) The average and standard deviation of the average area per 

microliter obtained for each of the standard solutions.

    (C) The form of the regression equation obtained in the calibration 

procedure.



[[Page 321]]



    (D) The extracting solvent used, and its extraction efficiency.

    (E) The average and standard deviation of solute concentration in 

each collection vessel.

    (F) Any changes made or problems encountered in the test procedure.

    (G) If applicable, a complete description of the analytical method 

which was used instead of the GC method.

    (e) References. For additional information on this test guideline, 

the following references should be consulted. These references are 

available from the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, Rm. NE-B607, 

Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC, 12 noon 

to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

    (1) DeVoe, H. et al., Generator columns and high pressure liquid 

chromatography for determining aqueous solubilities and octanol-water 

partition coefficients of hydrophobic substances. Journal of Research, 

National Bureau of Standards, 86:361-366 (1981).

    (2) Hansch, C. et al., The linear free-energy relationship between 

partition coefficients, and the aqueous solubility of organic liquids. 

Journal of Organic Chemistry 33:347-350 (1968).

    (3) Leifer, A. et al., Environmental transport and transformation of 

polychlorinated biphenyls. Chapter 1. U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency Report: EPA-560/5-83-005 (1983).

    (4) Mackay, D. et al., Relationships between aqueous solubility and 

octanol-water partition coefficient. Chemosphere 9:701-711 (1980).

    (5) May, W.E. et al., Determination of the aqueous solubility of 

polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons by a coupled column liquid 

chromatographic technique. Analytical Chemistry 50:175-179 (1978).

    (6) May, W.E. et al. Determination of the solubility behavior of 

some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water. Analytical 

Chemistry, 50:997-1000 (1978a).

    (7) Miller, N.M. et al., Aqueous solubilities, octanol/water 

partition coefficients, and entropy of melting of chlorinated benzenes 

and biphenyls. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data 29:184-190 

(1984).

    (8) OECD/Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Test 

Guideline No. 105. Water solubility column elution-flask method (1981).

    (9) Sutton, C. and Calder, J.A., Solubility of alkylbenzenes in 

distilled water and seawater at 25 [deg]C. Journal of Chemical and 

Engineering Data 20:320-322 (1975).

    (10) Tewari, Y.B. et al., Aqueous solubility and octanol/water 

partition coefficient of organic compounds at 25 [deg]C. Journal of 

Chemical and Engineering Data 27:451-454 (1982).

    (11) Wasik, S.P. et al., Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient and 

Aqueous Solubilities of Organic Compounds. NBS Report NBSIR 81-2406. 

Washington, DC: National Bureau of Standards, U.S. Department of 

Commerce (1981).

    (12) Yalkowski, S.H. et al., ``Aquasol database of aqueous 

solubilities of organic compounds''; Fifth Edition. University of 

Arizona, College of Pharmacy, Tucson, AZ 85721 (1990) (available at 

http://www.pharm.arizona.edu/aquasol/index.html).

    (13) ASTM D 1193-91, Standard Specification for Reagent Water. 

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). 1916 Race St., 

Philadelphia, PA 19103.



Subparts F-G [Reserved]