0
Article Tier 2 Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Remediation Sign in to save

Biodegradation in Composting Conditions of PBEAS Monofilaments for the Sustainable End‐Use of Fishing Nets

Global Challenges 2023 11 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers demonstrated that PBEAS, a novel biodegradable copolymer, can degrade under industrial composting conditions and serves as a viable sustainable replacement for conventional nylon in fishing nets, potentially reducing the environmental impact of lost or discarded fishing gear.

Polymers

The development and utilization of biodegradable plastics is an effective way to overcome environmental pollution caused by the disposal of non-degradable plastics. Recently, polybutylene succinate co-butylene adipate co-ethylene succinate co-ethylene adipate, (PBEAS) a biodegradable polymer with excellent strength and elongation, was developed to replace conventional nylon-based non-degradable fishing nets. The biodegradable fishing gear developed in this way can greatly contribute to inhibiting ghost fishing that may occur at the fishing site. In addition, by collecting the products after use and disposing of them in composting conditions, the environmental problem such as the leakage of microplastics strongly can be prevented. In this study, the aerobic biodegradation of PBEAS fishing nets under composting conditions is evaluated and the resulting changes in physicochemical properties are analyzed. The PBEAS fishing gear exhibits a mineralization rate of 82% in a compost environment for 45 days. As a result of physicochemical analysis, PBEAS fibers show a representative decrease in molecular weight and mechanical properties under composting conditions. PBEAS fibers can be used as eco-friendly biodegradable fishing gear that can replace existing non-degradable nylon fibers, and in particular, fishing gear collected after use can be returned to nature through biodegradation under composting conditions.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Biodegradable fishing gear: A sustainable solution to ghost net pollution in marine environments

AI summary Read the abstract

This study reviews biodegradable fishing gear based on copolyesters such as PBSAT and PBSA as sustainable alternatives to conventional polyamide nets, which persist in the ocean as ghost gear and generate microplastics. The authors assess the degradation performance, mechanical properties, and environmental profiles of biodegradable gear materials, finding them promising candidates for reducing ghost net pollution.

Article Tier 2

Biodegradable fishing gears: A potential solution to ghost fishing and marine plastic pollution

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers evaluated biodegradable materials as alternatives to conventional nylon fishing gear to reduce ghost fishing and marine plastic pollution. They found that biodegradable nets caught fish at comparable rates but broke down much faster in ocean conditions, significantly reducing their long-term environmental impact. The study suggests that switching to biodegradable fishing gear could meaningfully reduce marine litter and the ongoing harm caused by lost or abandoned nets.

Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Nets: The Next Wave of Sustainable Fishing

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examined biodegradable fishing nets made from materials like PLA and PBS as alternatives to conventional synthetic nets that contribute to ghost fishing and microplastic pollution when abandoned. The authors found that biodegradable nets match the functional performance of synthetic ones while degrading in marine environments, though deployment scale and cost-effectiveness remain barriers to adoption.

Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Nets: The Next Wave of Sustainable Fishing

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examined biodegradable fishing nets made from materials like PLA and PBS as alternatives to conventional synthetic nets that contribute to ghost fishing and microplastic pollution when abandoned. The authors found that biodegradable nets match the functional performance of synthetic ones while degrading in marine environments, though deployment scale and cost-effectiveness remain barriers to adoption.

Article Tier 2

Discovery of the Marine Biodegradability of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 Copolymer Fishing Lines

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers discovered that novel Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 copolymer fishing line formulations biodegrade in marine environments, addressing a major challenge since conventional fishing lines persist indefinitely in seawater and entangle marine wildlife.

Research digests by email

When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.

Email me about

Share this paper