title: A screening model for fate and transport of biodegradable polyesters in soil.
abstract: A numerical model for predicting the fate and transport of biodegradable polyester residues in soil, following successive applications of mulch film, was developed and applied. The polymer, applied on surface soil, was assumed to be converted into by-products (monomers), according to a first order kinetics with constant K(1deg). The monomers released were assumed to sorb on soil organic matter (according to a first-order kinetics with constant K(s)), to be leached with the seepage water, through vertical advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, and biodegraded (according to a first-order kinetics with constant K(b)). Results suggested that, to assess a possible build-up of mulch film (as a polymer) on the surface soil, the degradation constant K(1deg) relating the polymer conversion to by-products should be known, whereas the biodegradation constant K(b) indicates there is no danger of groundwater pollution. Likewise, on the basis of by-product concentration in deep soil, soil pollution should not occur.
authors.affiliation: Politecnico di Milano, DIIAR, Sez. Ambientale, piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. sabrina.saponaro@polimi.it
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saponaro
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sezenna
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Degli Innocenti
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mezzanotte
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonomo
mesh_terms: D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D012989:Soil Pollutants