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Lott C, Eich A, Unger B, Makarow D, Battagliarin G, Schlegel K, Lasut MT, Weber M. Field and mesocosm methods to test biodegradable plastic film under marine conditions. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236579. [PMID: 32735596 PMCID: PMC7394391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The pollution of the natural environment, especially the world’s oceans, with conventional plastic is of major concern. Biodegradable plastics are an emerging market bringing along potential chances and risks. The fate of these materials in the environment and their possible effects on organisms and ecosystems has rarely been studied systematically and is not well understood. For the marine environment, reliable field test methods and standards for assessing and certifying biodegradation to bridge laboratory respirometric data are lacking. In this work we present newly developed field tests to assess the performance of (biodegradable) plastics under natural marine conditions. These methods were successfully applied and validated in three coastal habitats (eulittoral, benthic and pelagic) and two climate zones (Mediterranean Sea and tropical Southeast Asia). Additionally, a stand-alone mesocosm test system which integrated all three habitats in one technical system at 400-L scale independent from running seawater is presented as a methodological bridge. Films of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer (PHA) and low density polyethylene (LD-PE) were used to validate the tests. While LD-PE remained intact, PHA disintegrated to a varying degree depending on the habitat and the climate zone. Together with the existing laboratory standard test methods, the field and mesocosm test systems presented in this work provide a 3-tier testing scheme for the reliable assessment of the biodegradation of (biodegradable) plastic in the marine environment. This toolset of tests can be adapted to other aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Miriam Weber
- HYDRA Marine Sciences GmbH, Sinzheim, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Bagheri AR, Laforsch C, Greiner A, Agarwal S. Fate of So-Called Biodegradable Polymers in Seawater and Freshwater. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2017; 1:1700048. [PMID: 31565274 PMCID: PMC6607129 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201700048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The stability of polymers with C-C and stable C-heteroatom backbones against chemicals, hydrolysis, temperature, light, and microbes has challenged society with the problem of accumulation of plastic waste and its management worldwide. Given careless disposal of plastic waste, large amounts of plastic litter accumulate in the environment and disintegrate into microplastics. One of the questions frequently raised in the recent times is if so-called biodegradable polymers can substitute conventional polymers for several applications and help to tackle this challenge. The answer is not so simple as biodegradability is a certified property occurring only under certain environmental conditions and therefore requires systematic study. As a first step, this study focusses on comparative degradation studies of six polymers (five taken from the so-called biodegradable polyesters, including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), Ecoflex, and one well-known non-degradable polymer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in artificial seawater and freshwater under controlled conditions for 1 year. Only amorphous PLGA shows 100% degradation as determined by weight loss, change in molar mass with time, NMR, electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. This is a step forward in understanding the degradability of polyesters required for the design of environmentally friendly novel polymers for future use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Reza Bagheri
- Macromolecular Chemistry II and Bayreuth Centre for Colloid and InterfacesUniversity of BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 3095440BayreuthGermany
| | - Christian Laforsch
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEERUniversity of BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 3095440BayreuthGermany
| | - Andreas Greiner
- Macromolecular Chemistry II and Bayreuth Centre for Colloid and InterfacesUniversity of BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 3095440BayreuthGermany
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Macromolecular Chemistry II and Bayreuth Centre for Colloid and InterfacesUniversity of BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 3095440BayreuthGermany
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Rydz J, Sikorska W, Kyulavska M, Christova D. Polyester-based (bio)degradable polymers as environmentally friendly materials for sustainable development. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 16:564-96. [PMID: 25551604 PMCID: PMC4307263 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16010564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the polyesters such as polylactide and polyhydroxyalkonoates, as well as polyamides produced from renewable resources, which are currently among the most promising (bio)degradable polymers. Synthetic pathways, favourable properties and utilisation (most important applications) of these attractive polymer families are outlined. Environmental impact and in particular (bio)degradation of aliphatic polyesters, polyamides and related copolymer structures are described in view of the potential applications in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Rydz
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Polymers, Acad. Georgi Bonchev St., Bl. 103A, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.
| | - Wanda Sikorska
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34 M. Curie-Sklodowska St., Zabrze 41-800, Poland.
| | - Mariya Kyulavska
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Polymers, Acad. Georgi Bonchev St., Bl. 103A, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.
| | - Darinka Christova
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Polymers, Acad. Georgi Bonchev St., Bl. 103A, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.
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Rydz J, Wolna-Stypka K, Musioł M, Szeluga U, Janeczek H, Kowalczuk M. Further evidence of polylactide degradation in paraffin and in selected protic media. A thermal analysis of eroded polylactide films. Polym Degrad Stab 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Rychter P, Kawalec M, Sobota M, Kurcok P, Kowalczuk M. Study of Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyester Degradation in Sandy Soil and Its Ecotoxicological Impact. Biomacromolecules 2010; 11:839-47. [DOI: 10.1021/bm901331t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rychter
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34, M. Curie-Skłodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland, and Jan Długosz University, Institute of Chemistry, Environment Protection and Biotechnology, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Avenue, 42-200 Czȩstochowa, Poland
| | - Michał Kawalec
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34, M. Curie-Skłodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland, and Jan Długosz University, Institute of Chemistry, Environment Protection and Biotechnology, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Avenue, 42-200 Czȩstochowa, Poland
| | - Michał Sobota
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34, M. Curie-Skłodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland, and Jan Długosz University, Institute of Chemistry, Environment Protection and Biotechnology, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Avenue, 42-200 Czȩstochowa, Poland
| | - Piotr Kurcok
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34, M. Curie-Skłodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland, and Jan Długosz University, Institute of Chemistry, Environment Protection and Biotechnology, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Avenue, 42-200 Czȩstochowa, Poland
| | - Marek Kowalczuk
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34, M. Curie-Skłodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland, and Jan Długosz University, Institute of Chemistry, Environment Protection and Biotechnology, 13/15 Armii Krajowej Avenue, 42-200 Czȩstochowa, Poland
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Sikorska W, Dacko P, Sobota M, Rydz J, Musioł M, Kowalczuk M. Degradation Study of Polymers from Renewable Resources and their Compositions in Industrial Composting Pile. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/masy.200851219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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