Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy

An outdoor soil burial test was carried out to evaluate the degradation of commercially available LDPE carrier bags in natural soil for up to 2 years. Biodegradability of low density polyethylene films in soil was monitored using both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 7-9 months...

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Main Authors: Mumtaz, Tabassum, Khan, Muhammad Rahim, Hassan, Mohd Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
English
Published: 2010
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/1/Study%20of%20environmental%20biodegradation%20of%20LDPE%20films%20in%20soil%20using%20optical%20and%20scanning%20electron%20microscopy.pdf
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author Mumtaz, Tabassum
Khan, Muhammad Rahim
Hassan, Mohd Ali
author_facet Mumtaz, Tabassum
Khan, Muhammad Rahim
Hassan, Mohd Ali
author_sort Mumtaz, Tabassum
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description An outdoor soil burial test was carried out to evaluate the degradation of commercially available LDPE carrier bags in natural soil for up to 2 years. Biodegradability of low density polyethylene films in soil was monitored using both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 7-9 months of soil exposure, microbial colonization was evident on the film surface. Exposed LDPE samples exhibit progressive changes towards degradation after 17-22 months. SEM images reveal signs of degradation such as exfoliation and formation of cracks on film leading to disintegration. The possible degradation mode and consequences on the use and disposal of LDPE films is discussed.
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institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
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language English
English
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publishDate 2010
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spelling upm-123912015-10-20T08:31:04Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/ Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy Mumtaz, Tabassum Khan, Muhammad Rahim Hassan, Mohd Ali An outdoor soil burial test was carried out to evaluate the degradation of commercially available LDPE carrier bags in natural soil for up to 2 years. Biodegradability of low density polyethylene films in soil was monitored using both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 7-9 months of soil exposure, microbial colonization was evident on the film surface. Exposed LDPE samples exhibit progressive changes towards degradation after 17-22 months. SEM images reveal signs of degradation such as exfoliation and formation of cracks on film leading to disintegration. The possible degradation mode and consequences on the use and disposal of LDPE films is discussed. 2010-07 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/1/Study%20of%20environmental%20biodegradation%20of%20LDPE%20films%20in%20soil%20using%20optical%20and%20scanning%20electron%20microscopy.pdf Mumtaz, Tabassum and Khan, Muhammad Rahim and Hassan, Mohd Ali (2010) Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Micron, 41 (5). pp. 430-438. ISSN 0968-4328 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2010.02.008 English
spellingShingle Mumtaz, Tabassum
Khan, Muhammad Rahim
Hassan, Mohd Ali
Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
title Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
title_full Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
title_fullStr Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
title_full_unstemmed Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
title_short Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
title_sort study of environmental biodegradation of ldpe films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/12391/1/Study%20of%20environmental%20biodegradation%20of%20LDPE%20films%20in%20soil%20using%20optical%20and%20scanning%20electron%20microscopy.pdf