Physical state and biodegradation behavior of starch-polycaprolactone systems

The biodegradation behavior of insoluble crystalline polymers depends on both chemical structure and physical state. The physical state is strongly affected by the molding conditions; moreover the presence of natural hydrophylic substances such as starch can further influence the biodegradation process. This paper examines the biotic and abiotic degradation of thick injection-molded parts, made of pure poly--caprolactone (PCL) at different molecular weights, and of PCL in the presence of starch in the case of a commercial grade of Mater-Bi, produced by Novamont. The abiotic degradation was studied at 25 and 50°C, whereas the biotic degradation was followed in conditions of SCAS (semicontinuous activated sludges) at 25 and 50°C, soil burial, and controlled composting. The physical-chemical modifications provoked at the surface and in the bulk of the samples by the different types of degradation were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, viscometric and gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical modifications induced by the different environments were followed by tensile tests. It was demonstrated that the presence of starch significantly increases the apparent biodegradation rate of PCL, making even thick parts of ZI01U compatible with the composting process.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Third National Meeting, June 6–8, 1994, Boston, Massachusetts.     

Assessing the biodegradation potential of polymers in screening- and long-term test systems

This paper presents a test scheme for assessing the biodegradation potential of polymers, starting with aquatic screening systems (aerobic and anaerobic) and continuing to long-term systems. At the end of the scheme the material has to prove its behavior under the relevant disposal conditions. Aerobic screening was performed mainly under aquatic conditions, but also in soil, using BOD-respirometry. Carbon balances were performed to obtain a better evaluation of the biodegradation potential. Under anaerobic conditions, biodegradation in an aquatic medium was followed by measuring CH₄ and CO₂ production. Polymers not fully degraded in the screening systems were tested in aquarium systems for at least 1 year. Biodegradation was followed by monitoring the DOC released in the water, mass loss, and microbial growth on the samples and in the water as well as via FTIR spectroscopy and SEM pictures. Results are presented for the polymers PHB, PHBV, PCL, Mater-Bi AI05H and ZF03U, and Bioceta. By combining the data from the screening with the aquarium system, a good picture of the degradation behavior of the polymers is obtained.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Third National Meeting, June 6–8, 1994, Boston, Massachusetts.     

Biodegradability and compostability of polymers—test methods and criteria for evaluation

The treatment of solid waste in controlled composting facilities is an important possibility for reducing garbage. Natural and synthetic polymeric materials can be used for many purposes, for example, as packaging materials, where compostability is required. A prerequisite for official regulations and the decision as to which materials may be composted is investigations on their biodegradability and the quality of the compost produced. Several standardization groups at the ISO, CEN, and DIN are developing definitions, test methods, and classification systems for differentiating compostable from noncompostable materials. The concept which will be standardized and used in Germany is described in detail. It includes characterization of the test material, determination of the biodegradability using laboratory tests such as simple aquatic batch tests and a controlled aerobic composting test, investigation of the disintegration of the test material in industrial or bench-scale composting facilities, and finally, chemical and ecotoxicological analysis of the compost produced.     

星云湖、杞麓湖磷污染来源比较

通过对星云湖、杞麓湖水体磷含量变化情况、流域产业结构和磷入湖途径的比较分析，认为近年来星云湖水体磷含量水平的大幅提高，使星云湖水质由Ⅲ类在大约5a的时间里下降为Ⅴ类、劣Ⅴ类，与星云湖流域及周边磷化工产业的快速发展息息相关。而杞麓湖由于流域内无磷矿资源也没有大的磷化工产业，其磷含量水平得于稳定。     

萃取法由废催化剂制取钼酸铵

用季胺盐作萃取剂，采用一级萃取回收废催化剂中的钼，其钼回收率可达９０％，反萃液可直接得到四钼酸铵，工艺简单，操作方便，具有显著的经济效益和一定的环境效益。     

天然植物单宁季铵盐改性絮凝剂的制备和性能评价

用植物单宁和二甲胺、甲醛及环氧氯丙烷进行季铵化反应 ,制得了JK A和JK B两种阳离子絮凝剂。测试了产品的红外光谱 ,并对两种絮凝剂处理效果进行了比较     

氟碳涂料实验室循环盐雾试验后防腐蚀行为研究

目的 研究氟碳重防腐涂层在循环盐雾试验后的防护性能.方法 开展氟碳涂层的实验室循环盐雾试验,通过电化学阻抗谱、附着力、光泽、色差测试等方法对氟碳涂层的各性能进行分析表征,并使用等效电路图对电化学阻抗谱数据进行拟合,评价涂层在盐雾试验后的腐蚀保护性能.结果 循环盐雾试验1440 h后,涂层无失光、变色、粉化等现象,模值由1.42×1011?·cm2下降至7.26×1010?·cm2,下降幅度较小.结论 经循环盐雾试验后的氟碳涂层仍具有优异的防护性能.     

京杭运河与钱塘江沟通中的几个环境问题

而不可及.这种断头滞水,是造成市区河段严重污染的内在因素.根据航运发展需要,运河-钱塘江沟通工程已于1989年6月完成,它包活从艮山港到三堡新航道5.56km,三千吨级船闸一座和上、下游引航道1.41km.全长6.97km(图1).这是一项有很大经济效益的工程.同时,由于钱塘江水位高、水质好,沟通工程为提高运河水质提供了有利条件,因而工程又有明显的环境效益.然而,沟通工程也存在下面三个主要环境问题,必须研究其可能的影响和控制方法.     

发硒的动态变化与大骨节病早期病变自然修复的关系

研究表明,在自然状态下,儿童大骨节病病情的变化是以人体硒营养变化为基础的骨质病变或修复的变化。早期病变的自然修复与人体发硒含量的升高同步发生,从而为用发硒含量定量地监测和预报病情提供了客观的指标。     

Soil carbon pool in China and its global significance

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