Marine field exposures - Biodegradation of polymers in actual marine coastal conditions

As part of the H2020 LABPLAS Project, coordinated by Universidade de Vigo, the degradability of biopolymers under immersion in coastal zones presenting actual environmental parameters is being tested. Standardised samples (composition, size, mass and shape) of each polymer have been submerged (~2 meters deep) in coastal areas in Spain (Vigo) for 180 days. A data logger is monitoring in real-time relevant environmental parameters (temperature, light, pH).

Furthermore, PET and cellulose samples have also been submerged as controls. Aliquots of exposed samples will be removed after 0, 5, 28, 60, 90 and 180 days of exposure. Such aliquots will be analysed concerning dry weight, disintegration – surface area loss (visual inspection, photo), tensile strength (a measure of the force required to the breaking point) and toxicity to sea urchin embryos (SET). Subsequently, modelling the results of the monitored endpoints will allow for estimating the degradation time for the studied polymers. This experiment will possibly allow the establishment of preliminary criteria for the standardisation of degradation tests to be used by commercial products.

"This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101003954"