title: Study of aliphatic-aromatic copolyester degradation in sandy soil and its ecotoxicological impact.
abstract: Degradation of poly[(1,4-butylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-butylene adipate)] (Ecoflex, BTA) monofilaments (rods) in standardized sandy soil was investigated. Changes in the microstructure and chemical composition distribution of the degraded BTA samples were evaluated and changes in the pH and salinity of postdegradation soil, as well as the soil phytotoxicity impact of the degradation products, are reported. A macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the surface of BTA rod samples after specified periods of incubation in standardized soil indicated erosion of the surface of BTA rods starting from the fourth month of their incubation, with almost total disintegration of the incubated BTA material observed after 22 months. However, the weight loss after this period of time was about 50% and only a minor change in the M(w) of the investigated BTA samples was observed, along with a slight increase in the dispersity (from an initial 2.75 up to 4.00 after 22 months of sample incubation). The multidetector SEC and ESI-MS analysis indicated retention of aromatic chain fragments in the low molar mass fraction of the incubated sample. Phytotoxicity studies revealed no visible damage, such as necrosis and chlorosis, or other inhibitory effects, in the following plants: radish, cres, and monocotyledonous oat, indicating that the degradation products of the investigated BTA copolyester are harmless to the tested plants.
authors.affiliation: Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, 34, M. Curie-Skłodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rychter
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawalec
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobota
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kurcok
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kowalczuk
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000633:toxicity*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D018675:Toxicity Tests
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C472388:ecoflex; D012822:Silicon Dioxide