Are Biodegradable Plastics “Biodegradable” at Deep Sea Environment?

11 Pages Posted: 18 Jan 2024

See all articles by Ramanujam Srinivasan Vethathirri

Ramanujam Srinivasan Vethathirri

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Lim Dao Wei

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Stephen Summers

National University of Singapore (NUS)

Janelle R. Thompson

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) - Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE)

Xunchang Fei

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Abstract

This micro article spotlights the “two-edged sword” nature of biodegradable plastics in marine environment. The term "biodegradable" plastic is frequently used to describe eco-friendly beneficial substitutes. However, for newly engineered biodegradable materials, there is a potential risk that the proven degrading qualities seen at the atmospheric pressure surface may not materialize in the deep-sea high-pressure environment. Lab-scale high-pressure tests are therefore needed to assess deep sea plastic degradation. High-pressure tolerant foil packs in the form of pouches are proposed as reactor vessels to demonstrate the plastic biodegradation and these foil packs may be used to replace the conventional serum bottles which are pressure sensitive. Analytical techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy and Gas Chromatography help in experimental validation of plastic biodegradation. Biodegradable plastic materials should be tested at high-pressure conditions to exercise their widespread applications and to reduce toxicity in a marine environment.

Keywords: biodegradable plastic, deep sea, plastic accumulation, foil pack, polymer degradation

Suggested Citation

Vethathirri, Ramanujam Srinivasan and Wei, Lim Dao and Summers, Stephen and Thompson, Janelle R. and Fei, Xunchang, Are Biodegradable Plastics “Biodegradable” at Deep Sea Environment?. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4699466 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4699466

Ramanujam Srinivasan Vethathirri (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Lim Dao Wei

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Stephen Summers

National University of Singapore (NUS) ( email )

Singapore
Singapore

Janelle R. Thompson

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) - Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) ( email )

Singapore

Xunchang Fei

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
29
Abstract Views
157
PlumX Metrics