Standard Test Method for Weight Attrition of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Open System Aquarium Incubations

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the weight loss as a function of time of non-floating plastic materials (including formulation additives), when incubated under changing, open, marine aquarium conditions, which is representative of aquatic environments near the coasts and near the bottom of a body of water in the absence of sunlight, particularly UV and visible portions of the spectrum. The goal of this test is to obtain data that will predict real world experiences based on the extent and rate of biodegradation data of the same materials obtained from the laboratory Test Method D6691. The aquarium incubated films are examined for visual degradation and dry weight loss over time. This test is not a replacement to Test Method D6691, but rather an additional ASTM method for weight attrition. The standard addresses weight loss of the plastics in a marine environment and cannot be used for demonstrating biodegradation for which Specification D7081 needs to be used.
1.2 Plastic film pieces of known size and thickness are used at levels so as not to exceed the availability of micronutrients essential for and therefore limit the microbial biodegradation process.
1.3 The aquarium incubation test method allows representative indigenous microorganisms present in seawater and marine sediment to be enriched for and carry out the biodegradation. It is recommended that the test be carried out in the geographical vicinity (latitudinal area) where the test film is likely to be used and potentially disposed of in the marine environment if biodegradable criteria are met. These Aquarium studies are conducted in indoor environments, hence any sunlight-induced effects on degradation, or biodegradation, or both, are not taken into account.
1.4 Prior to conducting this aquarium test method (weight loss data) for the verification of biodegradability, Test Method D6691 shall be run on the same materials to establish quantitative levels of the plastic organic carbon oxidation and levels of carbon dioxide recovered there from. If Test Method D6691 achieves 30 % mineralization, then apply this Aquarium test and perform it. If the results from Test Method D6691 do not achieve 30 % mineralization, then aquarium incubation testing need not be done and the material shall be considered non-biodegradable in the marine environment.
1.5 This test by itself shall not be used as the basis for claims, such as “Biodegradable in Marine Environments” since it is only a weight loss test method.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

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Publication Date
30-Apr-2012
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ASTM D7473-12 - Standard Test Method for Weight Attrition of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Open System Aquarium Incubations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7473 − 12
Standard Test Method for
Weight Attrition of Plastic Materials in the Marine
1
Environment by Open System Aquarium Incubations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7473; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope achieves 30% mineralization, then apply this Aquarium test
and perform it. If the results from Test Method D6691 do not
1.1 This test method is used to determine the weight loss as
achieve 30% mineralization, then aquarium incubation testing
a function of time of non-floating plastic materials (including
need not be done and the material shall be considered non-
formulation additives), when incubated under changing, open,
biodegradable in the marine environment.
marineaquariumconditions,whichisrepresentativeofaquatic
environments near the coasts and near the bottom of a body of 1.5 This test by itself shall not be used as the basis for
water in the absence of sunlight, particularly UV and visible claims,suchas“BiodegradableinMarineEnvironments”since
portions of the spectrum. The goal of this test is to obtain data it is only a weight loss test method.
thatwillpredictrealworldexperiencesbasedontheextentand
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
rateofbiodegradationdataofthesamematerialsobtainedfrom
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the laboratory Test Method D6691. The aquarium incubated
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
films are examined for visual degradation and dry weight loss
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
overtime.ThistestisnotareplacementtoTestMethodD6691,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
butratheranadditionalASTMmethodforweightattrition.The
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
standard addresses weight loss of the plastics in a marine
environment and cannot be used for demonstrating biodegra-
2. Referenced Documents
dation for which Specification D7081 needs to be used.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Plastic film pieces of known size and thickness are used
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
at levels so as not to exceed the availability of micronutrients
D6691Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegrada-
essential for and therefore limit the microbial biodegradation
tion of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a
process.
Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water
1.3 The aquarium incubation test method allows represen-
Inoculum
tative indigenous microorganisms present in seawater and
D7081Specification for Non-Floating Biodegradable Plas-
marine sediment to be enriched for and carry out the biodeg-
tics in the Marine Environment
radation. It is recommended that the test be carried out in the
geographical vicinity (latitudinal area) where the test film is
3. Terminology
likely to be used and potentially disposed of in the marine
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applying to this test
environmentifbiodegradablecriteriaaremet.TheseAquarium
method appear in Terminology D883.
studies are conducted in indoor environments, hence any
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
sunlight-induced effects on degradation, or biodegradation, or
both, are not taken into account. 3.2.1 absence of light—absence of electromagnetic radia-
tion with the focus on visible and ultraviolet portions of the
1.4 Prior to conducting this aquarium test method (weight
spectrum of sunlight or other light with similar wavelength
loss data) for the verification of biodegradability, Test Method
frequencies from artificial sources.
D6691 shall be run on the same materials to establish quanti-
3.2.2 natural seawater (NSW)—seawater unamended with
tative levels of the plastic organic carbon oxidation and levels
any additives.
of carbon dioxide recovered there from. IfTest Method D6691
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics
2
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. DOI:10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D7473–12. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7473 − 12
3.2.3 indigenous microbes—thosemicrobesnaturall
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