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The Effect of Applying Treatment Sludge and Vermicompost to Soil on the Biodegradability of Poly(lactic acid) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate)
Summary
Researchers tested how soil amendments — specifically treatment sludge and vermicompost — affect the breakdown of two bioplastics, PLA and PHB, over 180 days. While PHB degraded completely within 90 days in unamended soil, PLA biodegradation jumped from just 6% in plain soil to 40–45% when organic amendments were added, suggesting these materials can significantly accelerate degradation of otherwise slow-breaking bioplastics.
In this study, the biodegradability of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), the most widely produced bioplastic, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), known for its very biodegradability, was investigated in soil and soil amended with nitrogen sources, such as treatment sludge and vermicompost. Biodegradability was evaluated over 180 days by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and analyzing samples with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). PLA showed a low biodegradation (6%) in soil, but this increased to 40% in soil amended with treatment sludge and 45% in soil amended with vermicompost. PHB completely degraded within 90 days in soil; however, this process extended to 120 days in soil amended with vermicompost and 150 days in soil amended with treatment sludge. The organic and microbial content of the amendments enhanced PLA biodegradation, while PHB degradation slowed after 50 days as microorganisms prioritized other organic matter. SEM and FTIR analyses after 60 days showed more intense degradation of both bioplastics in soil amended with vermicompost. These findings highlight the potential of treatment sludge and vermicompost for improving bioplastic degradation, contributing to sustainable waste management and soil enhancement.