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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Biodegradability of bioplastic blown film in a marine environment
ClearMonitoring polymer degradation under different conditions in the marine environment
Researchers simulated four marine environmental conditions over one year and found that biobased plastics like polylactic acid degrade up to five times faster in seafloor sediment than in the water column, while conventional plastics showed little degradation difference across conditions.
Bioplastics in the Sea: Rapid In-Vitro Evaluation of Degradability and Persistence at Natural Temperatures
Researchers evaluated the marine degradability of multiple bioplastic materials at natural seawater temperatures, finding that most bioplastics persist in ocean environments rather than degrading quickly, challenging assumptions that bioplastics represent a straightforward solution to marine plastic pollution.
Biodegradation assessment of polymer-based films by bacterial species in the marine environment and its correlation with microplastic production and toxicity
Researchers tested five polymer-based film materials in marine environments and measured biodegradation, bacterial colonization, and microplastic formation, finding that polymer composition strongly determines both marine biodegradability and the amount of microplastic debris generated during degradation.
Not Only Diamonds Are Forever: Degradation of Plastic Films in a Simulated Marine Environment
Researchers found that biodegradable plastics, including polylactic acid (PLA), do not fully degrade in simulated marine environments at realistic temperatures and conditions. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are a straightforward solution to ocean plastic pollution.
The fate of biodegradable polyesters in the marine environment
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.
Marine Biodegradability and Toxicity of Commercially Available Biobased Plastics -A Sustainable Alternative To Petrochemical Plastics?
This conference abstract examines whether commercially available biobased plastics degrade in the marine environment and whether they produce toxic byproducts. Results suggest that some bioplastics do not biodegrade effectively in seawater and may pose similar risks to marine organisms as conventional petroleum-based plastics.
Biodegradable plastics in the marine environment: a potential source of risk?
This review examines whether biodegradable plastics offer a genuine solution to marine plastic pollution, finding that their environmental behavior depends heavily on specific conditions and that they may still pose risks in marine environments where decomposition is slow.
Evaluation of the degradation from micro to nanoplastics from biodegradable bags in marine conditions
Researchers evaluated how biodegradable plastic bags degrade into micro- and nanoplastics under environmental conditions, comparing them to conventional plastics. The study found that even biodegradable materials generate persistent micro- and nanoplastic particles under real-world conditions.
Behind the Green Promise: Eco-Innovation or Commercial Illusion?
This review critically examines the gap between the environmental promise of biodegradable packaging materials such as polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate and their real-world degradation performance. The authors found that most biodegradable plastics require specific industrial composting conditions to degrade as marketed and may perform no better than conventional plastics when disposed of in landfill, soil, or marine environments.
Field and mesocosm methods to test biodegradable plastic film under marine conditions
Researchers developed and tested field and mesocosm methods for assessing biodegradation of biodegradable plastic films under real marine conditions, addressing the lack of validated test standards for certifying marine biodegradation. The study presents newly developed protocols bridging laboratory respirometric data and field performance, providing tools for evaluating whether biodegradable plastics reliably break down in marine environments.
Degradation efficiency of biodegradable plastics in subtropical open-air and marine environments: Implications for plastic pollution
Researchers tested several types of biodegradable plastics in real outdoor and ocean environments in Hong Kong and found that most failed to break down significantly over the study period. This means biodegradable plastics marketed as eco-friendly alternatives can still fragment into microplastics that persist in the environment and potentially enter the food chain, posing similar risks to conventional plastics.
Half-life of biodegradable plastics in the marine environment depends on material, habitat, and climate zone
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.
Assessing the Biodegradation Characteristics of Poly(Butylene Succinate) and Poly(Lactic Acid) Formulations Under Controlled Composting Conditions
Researchers assessed the biodegradation of PLA and PBS biopolymer films and granules under controlled composting conditions over six months. PLA-based materials showed limited degradation while PBS degraded more substantially, highlighting that compostability varies significantly among bioplastics and may be insufficient under real-world composting conditions.
Biodegradation of plastics in the pelagic environment of the coastal zone – Proposed test method under controlled laboratory conditions
This paper proposed a standardized test method for evaluating the biodegradation of bio-based plastics in the pelagic coastal zone environment, addressing the lack of suitable protocols for assessing marine biodegradability as an alternative to conventional non-degradable plastics.
Degradation of Polylactic Acid/Polypropylene Carbonate Films in Soil and Phosphate Buffer and Their Potential Usefulness in Agriculture and Agrochemistry
Researchers studied how blends of polylactic acid and polypropylene carbonate, two biodegradable plastics being promoted as eco-friendly alternatives, break down in soil and in laboratory conditions over time. The degradation was slow and incomplete, with the films losing weight and molecular structure gradually over 24 months. This raises concerns that even biodegradable plastics may persist in the environment long enough to fragment into microplastics before fully breaking down.
Biofilm and Diatom Succession on Polyethylene (PE) and Biodegradable Plastic Bags in Two Marine Habitats: Early Signs of Degradation in the Pelagic and Benthic Zone?
Researchers studied biofilm and diatom colonization on polyethylene and biodegradable plastic bags over time, finding that both plastic types develop distinct microbial communities and that biodegradable plastics did not degrade noticeably faster under marine conditions.
Biodegradability of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) and poly(ε-caprolactone) via biological carbon cycles in marine environments
The marine biodegradability of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) biopolymers was tested through biological degradation assays, evaluating their potential as truly marine-degradable plastic alternatives. Both polymers showed evidence of marine biodegradation, though rates varied with environmental conditions, offering promise as plastics that would not persist in ocean environments.
Microbiological Characterization of the Biofilms Colonizing Bioplastics in Natural Marine Conditions: A Comparison between PHBV and PLA
Researchers characterized biofilm communities colonizing bioplastics and conventional plastics in natural marine conditions, finding that bioplastic surfaces hosted distinct microbial communities compared to petroleum-based plastics, with implications for biodegradation and ecological interactions.
Biodegradability standards for carrier bags and plastic films in aquatic environments: a critical review
Researchers critically reviewed existing biodegradability standards for carrier bags and plastic films in aquatic environments and found that current testing protocols do not adequately reflect real-world marine or freshwater conditions. The study suggests that labeling plastics as "biodegradable" may be misleading, since degradation rates vary dramatically depending on temperature, oxygen levels, and microbial communities present in natural water bodies.
Potential environmental impacts of bioplastic degradation in natural marine environments: A comprehensive review
This review examines the environmental impacts of biodegradable plastics degrading in marine environments, finding that their microscale breakdown raises significant concerns about contributing to microplastic pollution rather than eliminating it. The authors conclude that biodegradable plastics require reevaluation as petroleum-based plastic substitutes given the incomplete understanding of their behavior at the microscale in marine ecosystems.
Microbial Degradation of Polylactic Acid Bioplastic
This review covers how microorganisms degrade polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic under different environmental conditions. Understanding PLA biodegradation is important for assessing whether PLA products actually break down as intended in real-world environments rather than persisting as microplastics.
Degradation of Biodegradable Single-use Plates and Waste Bags in Terrestrial and Marine Environments
Field experiments found that biodegradable single-use plates and waste bags degraded at very different rates depending on material and environment, with some lasting far longer than expected. Products labeled as biodegradable may still persist and fragment into microplastics in natural marine and terrestrial conditions.
State of the art on biodegradability of bio-based plastics containing polylactic acid
This review examines whether bio-based plastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) actually break down in the environment as intended. While certain microorganisms can degrade PLA, the process is slow and depends heavily on conditions like temperature and moisture. The findings matter because if bio-based plastics do not fully break down, they can still fragment into microplastics, posing many of the same environmental and health risks as conventional plastics.
Review on the Biological Degradation of Polymers in Various Environments
This review provides an overview of how biodegradable plastics degrade under different environmental conditions including soil, freshwater, marine, and composting environments. It finds that biodegradability is a material property strongly dependent on environmental conditions, and that many so-called biodegradable plastics degrade far more slowly in nature than in controlled test conditions.