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Comparison of biodegradable polyesters degradation behavior in sand.
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This study compared how four biodegradable plastics (PLA, PCL, PBSA, and PBAT) break down in sandy beach environments. Researchers found that biodegradable polymers degrade at very different rates in sand, and some persist far longer than expected under beach conditions. The findings suggest that labeling a material as biodegradable does not guarantee it will break down quickly in coastal environments.
Sandy beaches represent environmental compartments particularly vulnerable to litter pollution, and they reflect the magnitude of pollution of adjacent compartments: water and coastal areas. The substitution of conventional polymers by biodegradable materials is generally considered as an alternative for reducing environmental accumulation of plastic debris. The present study is aimed to investigate the degradation of poly(lactic acid), poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(butylenesuccinate adipate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) buried in sand for 267 days, simulating them as beach litter. The analysed polyesters showed different degradation mechanisms and kinetics. PLA is mainly subjected to weathering by physical aging; after an initial faster degradation of the amorphous phase, PCL showed a decrease of its degradation rate; similarly to PCL, the degradation of PBSA started from the amorphous phase; PHB is clearly subjected to biological degradation. The degradation trend of the investigated materials in sand decreased in the order PHB > PBSA > PCL > PLA. PLA, PCL and PBSA did not undergo complete degradation in sand during the testing time.
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The fate of biodegradable polyesters in the marine environment
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Researchers tracked the degradation of five biodegradable plastics in simulated marine environments over nearly a year, including materials like polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate. While all materials showed signs of degradation such as surface cracking and weight loss from hydrolysis, they also released polymer fragments into surrounding sand, indicating that even biodegradable plastics can generate microplastic pollution. The findings suggest that labeling a plastic as biodegradable does not guarantee it will fully break down in ocean conditions.
Half-life of biodegradable plastics in the marine environment depends on material, habitat, and climate zone
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This study compared the biodegradation rates of three types of biodegradable plastics (PHA, PBSe, PBSeT) versus conventional polyethylene under realistic marine conditions. Results showed that PHA degraded rapidly at sea while the others performed poorly, highlighting that not all "biodegradable" plastics actually break down quickly in marine environments.
Microplastics: Degradation properties of polymers in the environment
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This study examined the degradation pathways and rates of various plastic polymers in environmental settings, addressing the gap between labeled biodegradability and actual environmental persistence. Understanding how different plastics fragment and degrade is essential for predicting their long-term fate as microplastics in soil and aquatic environments.
An In Situ Experiment to Evaluate the Aging and Degradation Phenomena Induced by Marine Environment Conditions on Commercial Plastic Granules
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Researchers designed two experimental setups to monitor the aging and degradation of commercial plastic granules (HDPE, PP, PLA, and PBAT) in marine conditions over three years. The first six months of results showed measurable changes in plastic properties from exposure to seawater and beach conditions. The study provides real-world data on how different plastic types degrade in marine environments, with biodegradable plastics showing faster changes than conventional polymers.
Biodegradable plastics in the air and soil environment: Low degradation rate and high microplastics formation
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Researchers compared the degradation rates of various biodegradable plastic types in natural air and soil environments over time, finding that most degraded slowly under ambient conditions and generated substantial microplastic fragments, with non-certified biodegradable plastics showing essentially no degradation.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.