What is ISO 23977-2 about?
ISO 23977 discusses the determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater. ISO 23977-2 is the second part of the multi-series ISO 23977 and discusses the method by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer.
ISO 23977-2 specifies a laboratory test method for determining the degree and rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials. Biodegradation of plastic materials is determined by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer when exposed to seawater sampled from coastal areas under laboratory conditions.
The conditions described in ISO 23977-2 might not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation; however, this test method is designed to give an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials.
NOTE: ISO 23977-2 addresses plastic materials but can also be used for other materials.
Who is ISO 23977-2 for?
ISO 23977-2 on the determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater is useful for:
- Plastic manufacturers
- Quality control personnel
- Government and research institutions
- Environment protection personnel
- Testing laboratories
Why should you use ISO 23977-2?
The degradability of plastic materials exposed to the marine environment is one of the factors affecting the impact and strength of effects. The uncontrolled dispersion of biodegradable plastics in natural environments is not desirable. The biodegradability of products cannot be considered as an excuse to spread wastes that should be recovered and recycled. However, test methods to measure the rate and level of biodegradation in natural environments are of interest to better characterize the behaviour of plastics in these very particular environments. Thus, the degree and rate of biodegradation are of major interest to obtain an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials when exposed to different marine habitats.
ISO 23977-2 provides a test method for determining the biodegradation level of plastic materials exposed to the microbial population present in seawater from a pelagic zone under laboratory conditions. The biodegradation is followed by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer.
Less oxygen released more useful of degradation highly oxygen released less degradable so, determining the oxygen level in plastic will determine the degradable level of the plastic in seawater.