Degradation of starch-plastic composites in a municipal solid waste landfill

The rate and extent of deterioration of starch-plastic composites were determined over a 2-year period for samples buried in a municipal solid waste landfill. The deterioration of the starch-plastic composites following exposure was determined by measuring changes in tensile properties, weight loss, and starch content of samples retrieved from the landfill. Elongation decreases of 92 and 44% were measured for starch-plastic composite LDPE and LLDPE films, respectively, while elongation decreases of 54 and 21% were measured for their corresponding control films following 2 years of burial. Starch loss of 25% for LLDPE and 33% for LDPE starch-plastic composite films was measured following 2 years of landfill burial. Starch-plastic composites did not fragment or lose mass during the 2-year landfill burial. The limited degradation observed for the starch-plastic composites was attributed to the ineffectiveness of the prooxidant additive to catalyze the thermal oxidation of the polyethylene or polypropylene component of the starch-plastic composite under the environmental conditions present within the landfill.     

The influence of soil macroinvertebrates on primary biodegradation of starch-containing polyethylene films

The primary biodegradability of polyethylene (PE) films containing different percentages of cornstarch (0–50%) and other additives (prooxidant, oxidized polyethylene) was tested using four species of earthworms (Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus terrestris, Aporectodea trapezoides, Aporectodea tuberculata), three species of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana, Blaberus sp.,Blattella germanica), termites (Reticulotermes flavipes), sowbugs (Porcellio laevis), and crickets (Acheta domesticus). These studies were conducted to elucidate the potential role of soil macroinvertebrates in degrading starch/PE biodegradable plastics. The results of the macroinvertebrate bioassays indicate that crickets, cockroaches, and sowbugs consumed starch-containing PE films most readily. In addition, the degree to which the films were attacked and consumed was directly related to the starch content of the film. Films with oxidized polyethylene and those containing prooxidant (vegetable oil and a transition metal catalyst) were also consumed. None of the four species of earthworms tested or the termites showed any activity toward the starch/polyethylene films. These results have important implications for determining the fate of novel plastic formulations which claim to be biodegradable in natural environments. Studies such as these, coupled with studies on microbial degradation, will help provide the type of information needed to assess the environmental fate of biodegradable starch/PE plastics and fill the voids in the scientific database regarding this rapidly developing field.     

Starch-filled polyethylene in a composting environment: Evidence for polyethylene matrix oxidation

Two series of starch-filled polyethylene films, consisting of high-density or low-density polyethylene and 0–20% starch, have been exposed for 60 days to a controlled composting environment. Evidence is reported that the oxidation of the polyethylene matrix is dependent upon the polyethylene type and content of starch.     

An accelerated laboratory study evaluating the disintegration rates of plastic films in simulated aquatic environments

Six plastic films were exposed to accelerated sunlight while in simulated aquatic environments to determine the effects of chemical composition and environment on the disintegration rates. An environment of UV light/no water was used as a control to determine if the microorganisms in the aquatic systems enhanced the breakdown of the plastic films. The disintegration rate of the plastics was determined by monitoring changes in selected physical properties. The plastics included two conventional plastics commonly used in packaging (LDPE and polystyrene) and four plastics enhanced to have more rapid breakdown in the environment (2% ECO, 10% ECO, PE with ketone graft, and PE with starch). The two ECO copolymers had a significantly faster loss of physical properties than the other plastics evaluated in this study. Degradation was influenced by environmental conditions. Those plastics that showed a change in physical properties had a greater change faster in the UV light/no water than in the environments where water was present. Plastics on the surface of the water showed a more rapid loss of properties than those samples partially or completely submerged. This can be attributed to decreased light intensity and the lack of heat buildup.     

Preparation and Characterization of Compatible and Degradable Thermoplastic Starch/Polyethylene Film

The degradability of the compatible thermoplastic starch/polyethylene film was investigated by weight loss percent (WLP), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The compatible film was prepared by using the particles of thermoplastic starch/polyethylene blends that were produced by one-step reactive extrusion. The weight of the film after degradation reduced more than 3% for 30 days and 4% for 60 days. The FTIR results revealed that both starch and polyethylene in the film exhibited varying degrees of degradation. SEM photographs of the films after degradation showed that starch particles in the film disintegrated into smaller particles or separated out of the film surface. Degradation studies demonstrated that the compatible thermoplastic starch/polyethylene film had increased degradability at the given degradable environment. The information implies that this film could be utilized as a degradable plastic.     

高密度电阻率法对盐渍土的检测效果分析

在天然状态下,盐渍土为较好的地基,一旦因自然条件的改变就会产生严重的溶陷、膨胀和腐蚀,使建筑物裂缝、倾斜或结构被腐蚀破坏.本文主要从高密度电阻率法和地质雷达法的探测精度问题展开讨论,通过对瓜州干河口风电场盐渍土所进行的高密度电阻率法和地质雷达法无损检测数据的分析和对比,表明高密度电阻率法对盐渍土的检测效果较地质雷达法更...     

聚乙烯蜡表观黏度测定方法的研究

介绍了采用美国试验与材料协会标准ASTMD 1986-91(2007)制定我国《聚乙烯蜡表观黏度测定法》的过程。考察不同取样量、不同转速对试验结果的影响以及方法的重复性。试验结果表明:方法的重复性较好;不同取样量、不同转速对试验结果有一定的影响,应严格按方法要求操作。     

Electrochemical oxidation of polyethylene glycol in electroplating solution using paraffin composite copper hexacyanoferrate modified (PCCHM) anode

Electrochemical oxidation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in an acidic(pH 0.18 to 0.42) and high ionic strength electroplating solution was investigated. The electroplating solution is a major source of wastewater in the printing wiring board industry. A paraffin composite copper hexacyanoferrate modified(PCCHM) electrode was used as the anode and a bare graphite electrode was used as the cathode. The changes in PEG and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations during the course of the reaction were monitored. The efficiency of the PCCHM anode was compared with bare graphite anode and it was found that the former showed significant electrocatalytic property for PEG and TOC removal. Chlorides present in the solution were found to contribute significantly in the overall organic removal process. Short chain organic compounds like acetic acid, oxalic acid, formic acid and ethylene glycol formed during electrolysis were identified by HPLC method. Anode surface area and applied current density were found to influence the electro-oxidation process, in which the former was found to be dominating. Investigations of the kinetics for the present electrochemical reaction suggested that the two stage first-order kinetic model provides a much better representation of the overall mechanism of the process if compared to the generalized kinetic model.     

低密度聚乙烯微塑料对土壤中含氧多环芳烃自然衰减的影响

农田土壤中微塑料的不断积累可能会影响含氧多环芳烃（OPAHs）的自然衰减行为.通过土壤微宇宙实验,研究了质量分数为1 %和0.01 %低密度聚乙烯微塑料（LDPE）对土壤中OPAHs自然衰减的影响,并探究了细菌群落响应与OPAHs自然衰减的关联.土壤中初始ω（OPAHs）为34.6 mg·kg^-1,培养14 d时LDPE抑制了土壤中OPAHs的自然衰减,LDPE处理组ω（OPAHs）较对照组高出0.9~1.6 mg·kg^-1,抑制程度随LDPE质量分数增大而增大;28 d时3个处理组间土壤中OPAHs含量无显著差异,LDPE抑制效应消失.LDPE处理未改变OPAHs污染土壤中群落优势物种组成,但影响了部分优势物种相对丰度;使门水平上变形菌门和放线菌门等相对丰度增加;使属水平上芽孢杆菌属相对丰度下降,而小单孢菌属、鞘氨醇单胞菌属和硝化螺旋菌属相对丰度增加（为LDPE及内源物的潜在降解菌）,这4个菌属均是属水平上主导组间群落差异的主要物种.LDPE使细菌群落的α和β多样性发生了变化,但差异不显著.LDPE影响了细菌群落的功能,降低了多环芳烃降解基因的总丰度及部分降解酶丰度,抑制了多环芳烃降解菌的生长,进而干预了OPAHs自然衰减.     

聚乙烯塑料的生物降解研究

塑料废弃物是目前最严重的固体废物污染问题,它正以每年4 000万t的速度在环境中积累,而塑料在自然界几乎完全不能被生物降解和参加物质循环,所以从不同方式提高其生物降解效率一直是重要的研究方向.本文从聚乙烯塑料的改性及降解预处理、生物降解途径、主要降解微生物及其酶,以及聚乙烯降解后的物理、化学与生物学性质的变化等方面总结了近年来聚乙烯生物降解的研究进展.提出了开拓聚乙烯降解的生物研究种类,分离并克隆能产生活性基团的关键酶及其基因,以及加强无添加剂的聚乙烯降解研究等方面的研究方向.