A correlation between the biodegradability of oil products in the CEC L-33-T-82 and modified Sturm tests

Using a data set for 39 base oils, formulated oil products and pure compounds it was demonstrated that there was a good positive relationship between biodegradation in CEC L-33-T-82 and mineralisation to CO₂ in the modified Sturm test. A mathematical model was developed which described this correlation for most of the materials tested. One outlier from the model was di-iso tridecyl adipate (DITA), the well-degradable calibration oil for the CEC test. The measured mineralisation of DITA was much lower than that predicted by the model based on the compound's high biodegradability in the CEC test. A possible reason for this is given and the implications of this result discussed.