ASTM D5988-12
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil
Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The degree and rate of aerobic biodegradability of a plastic material in the environment determines the extent to which and time period over which plastic materials are mineralized by soil microorganisms. Disposal is becoming a major issue with the increasing use of plastics, and the results of this test method permit an estimation of the degree of biodegradability and the time period over which plastics will remain in an aerobic soil environment. This test method determines the degree of aerobic biodegradation by measuring evolved carbon dioxide as a function of time that the plastic is exposed to soil.
Soil is an extremely species-rich source of inoculum for evaluation of the biodegradability of plastics in the environment. When maintained appropriately with regard to moisture content and oxygen availability, the biological activity is quite considerable, although lower than other biologically active environments, such as activated sewage-sludge or compost.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination under laboratory conditions of the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials, including formulation additives, in contact with soil.
1.2 This test method is designed to measure the biodegradability of plastic materials relative to a reference material in an aerobic environment.
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the bacteria and fungi present in soil.
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified “biodegradable” claims. Reports shall clearly state the percentage of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and reference samples at the completion of the test. Results shall not be extrapolated beyond the actual duration of the test.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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. A specific hazard statement is given in Section 8.
1.7 This ASTM test method is equivalent to ISO 17556.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
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: D5988 − 12
Standard Test Method for
Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in
1
Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5988; 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* D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.1 This test method covers determination under laboratory
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
conditions of the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of
D1293Test Methods for pH of Water
plastic materials, including formulation additives, in contact
D2980Test Method for Volume Mass, Moisture-Holding
with soil.
Capacity, and Porocity of Saturated Peat Materials
1.2 This test method is designed to measure the biodegrad-
D2989Test Method for Acidity-Alkalinity of Halogenated
abilityofplasticmaterialsrelativetoareferencematerialinan
Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
aerobic environment.
D4129Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water
by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all
plasticmaterialsthatarenotinhibitorytothebacteriaandfungi Detection
D4972Test Method for pH of Soils
present in soil.
D5338Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegrada-
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical
tion of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting
result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified
Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
“biodegradable”claims.Reportsshallclearlystatethepercent-
D5511TestMethodforDeterminingAnaerobicBiodegrada-
age of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and
tion of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-
reference samples at the completion of the test. Results shall
Digestion Conditions
not be extrapolated beyond the actual duration of the test.
3
2.2 APHA-AWWA-WPCF Standards:
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
2540D Total Suspended Solids Dried at 103°–105°C
standard.
2540G Total, Fixed, and Volatile Solids in Solids and
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Semi-Solid Samples
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.3 ISO Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ISO 17556Plastics—Determination of the UltimateAerobic
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
BiodegradabilityofPlasticMaterialsinSoilbyMeasuring
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard
the Oxygen Demand in a Respirometer or theAmount of
statement is given in Section 8.
Carbon Dioxide Evolved
1.7 This ASTM test method is equivalent to ISO 17556.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents
2
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applicable to this test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
method appear in Terminology D883.
D425Test Method for Centrifuge Moisture Equivalent of
Soils
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The test method described consists of the selection of
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics
plastic material for the determination of aerobic
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally
biodegradability, obtaining soil as a matrix and source of
Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. Originally inoculum, exposing the plastic material to the soil, measuring
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5988-03. DOI:
10.1520/D5988-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. ForAnnual Book ofASTM Standard Methods for the Examination ofWater andWastewater, 17th Edition,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 1989, American Public Health Association (APHA), 1015 Fifteenth Street NW,
the ASTM website. Washington, DC 20005.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5988 − 12
the carbon dioxide evolved by the microorganisms as a flasks are also appropriate). Ensure that all glassware is
function of time, and assessing the degree of biodegradability. thoroughly cleaned and, in particular, free from organic or
toxic matter.
4.2 The CO production measured for a material, expressed
2
6.1.1 Vessels,asetofvesselswithapproximately2to4-Lof
as a fraction of the measured or calculated carbon content, is
internal vol
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D5988–03 Designation:D5988–12
Standard Test Method for
Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic
Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After
CompostingDetermining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic
1
Materials in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5988; 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*
1.1This test method covers determination of the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of synthetic plastic materials
(including formulation additives that may be biodegradable) in contact with soil, or a mixture of soil and mature compost, under
laboratory conditions.
1.2Thistestmethodisdesignedtoratethebiodegradabilityofplasticmaterialsrelativetoastandardinanaerobicenvironment.
1.3This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the bacteria and fungi present
in soil and compost.
1.4The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversdeterminationunderlaboratoryconditionsofthedegreeandrateofaerobicbiodegradationofplastic
materials, including formulation additives, in contact with soil.
1.2 Thistestmethodisdesignedtomeasurethebiodegradabilityofplasticmaterialsrelativetoareferencematerialinanaerobic
environment.
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the bacteria and fungi present
in soil.
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified
“biodegradable” claims. Reports shall clearly state the percentage of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and reference
samples at the completion of the test. Results shall not be extrapolated beyond the actual duration of the test.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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. A specific hazard statement is given in Section 8.
1.6This1.7 This ASTM test method is equivalent to ISO 17556:200317556.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D425 Test Method for Centrifuge Moisture Equivalent of Soils
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
D1898Practice for Sampling of Plastics
D2980 Test Method for Volume Mass, Moisture-Holding Capacity, and Porocity of Saturated Peat Materials
D2989 Test Method for Acidity-Alkalinity of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
D4129 Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric Detection
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally Degradable
Plastics.
Current edition approved November 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D5988-96. DOI:
10.1520/D5988-03.on Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products.
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2012.PublishedJune2012.Originallyapprovedin1996.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2003asD5988-03.DOI:10.1520/D5988-12.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5988–12
D4972 Test Method for pH of Soils
D5338 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions,
Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures D5511
D5511 Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion
Conditions
3
2.2 APHA-AWWA-WPCF Standards:
2540 D Total Suspended Solids Dried at 103°–
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.