A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

..:::::::::: nickel and nickel compounds
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23 Nickel and nickel compounds
� Nickel compounds are confirmed human carcinogens
and allergens.
� Nickel is widely used, and there is significant
air transport of nickel from Northwest Russia to
Norway.
� In general nickel concentrations in Norway
are low.
� No further screening is regarded necessary.
Production and use
Nickel compounds have wide usage. They are
present in fossil fuels. Globally, nickel has been
important in the production of stainless steel
and nickel alloys, electroplating, non-ferrous
alloys, catalysts, pigments, component of Ni-Cd
and NiMH batteries etc.
Coinage contain up to 25% nickel. Nationally
nickel metal is produced at Falconbridge in
Kristiansand. According to SFT the annual
turnover of nickel has increased from 2257 tons
in 1990, via 4755 tons in 1998 to 3665 tons in
2002.
Most of the nickel is in form of alloys. Nickel in
waste (from sandblasting sand, batteries and
catalysers) has only dropped from 158,5 tons in
1990, to 88,6 tons in 2002. The amount emitted
from batteries has remained stable at 65
tons.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
Nickel is emitted by natural (volcanoes, erosion)
and anthropogenic sources. Norwegian emissions
to air have been stable at 40 tons (fossil
fuels, asphalt) since 1995. Emissions to soil have
dropped from 33 tons in 1990 (mainly sandblasting
sand, some fertilizer) to about one ton
in 2002. The data on general discharges to
water are scarce; but there have been significant
discharges from Falconbridge in Kristiansand in
Vest-Agder County. Airborne long range transport
of nickel by air is registered from
Northwest Russia to Northern Norway. The
area around Falconbridge is considered a
hotspot. This area is thoroughly investigated.
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
FACTS
Cas no.: 7440-02-0
Synonyms/compounds:
Nickel acetate tetrahydrate: Ni(C 2 H 3 O 2 ) 2 .4H 2 O
Nickel ortho-arsenate: Ni3 (AsO4 ) 2
Nickel bromate hexahydrate: Ni(BrO3 ) 2 .6H2O Nickel carbonate: NiCO 3
Nickel carbonate hydroxide: NiCO 3 .2Ni(OH) 2
Nickel carbonyl: C 4 NiO 4
Nickel chloride: NiCl 2
Nickel fluoride: NiF2 Nickel hydroxide (hydrate): Ni(OH) 2 .H2O Nickel nitrate hexahydrate: Ni(NO 3 )2.6H 2 O
Nickel oxide: NiO
Nickel sulfate hexahydrate: NiSO 4 .6H 2 O
Nickel subsulfide: Ni3S2 Properties: Silvery white metal
Toxic effects: Nickel compounds are confirmed
human carcinogens and may cause allergies
(ClassLab, HSDB). LC50 for Daphnia magna is 0,5 mg
nickel/litre (96 hour) and 4-20 mg/l for fish (WHO). For
mammals the most toxic compound is nickel carbonyl.
LC50 rat is 0,1 mg nickel carbonyl/litre air for a 20
minute exposure.
Log Kow: -
Persistence: Nickel may exhibit a high mobility within
the soil profile, reaching ground and surface water
and rivers and lakes. Acid rain can mobilize nickel
from the soil. Nickel carbonyl may volatilize from
water, other compounds will not. Nickel compounds
accumulate in plants, and have low to moderate
potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms.
Water solubility: Insoluble (some compounds are soluble).
Molecular formula: Pure metal: Ni
Metabolites: -
Monitoring
Nickel and nickel compounds have been monitored
RID, a time trend exists here. Other studies
are included in the references.