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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

Compounding one problem with another? A look at biodegradable microplastics.

Gary Ossmar Lara-Topete¹, Juan Daniel Castanier-Rivas¹, María Fernanda Bahena-Osorio¹

¹Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Laboratorio de Sostenibilidad y Cambio Climático, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Zapopan, Jalisco 45138, Mexico.

The Science of the Total Environment

|June 10, 2024

Summary

Biodegradable plastics may not fully decompose, creating micro-biodegradable plastics (MBPs). These MBPs pose environmental risks, potentially harming ecosystems more than conventional plastics.

Keywords:

Anaerobic digestion Biodegradation Composting Ecotoxicity Microplastics Soil Waste management

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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

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Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

Published on: July 27, 2022

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Polymer Science
Ecotoxicology

Background:

Microplastics (MPs) are an environmental concern in aquatic and soil ecosystems.
Biodegradable plastics aim to reduce plastic contamination but their environmental fate is unclear.
Incomplete biodegradation may lead to micro-biodegradable plastics (MBPs), posing new risks.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the risks of unintended consequences from biodegradable plastics.
To investigate the potential for incomplete mineralization and MBP formation.
To evaluate the ecotoxicological impacts of MBPs.

Main Methods:

Comprehensive literature review on biodegradable plastic degradation.
Analysis of degradation rates in composting and anaerobic digestion.
Evaluation of existing ecotoxicity data for MBPs.

Main Results:

Incomplete mineralization of biodegradable plastics is evident under various conditions.
Significant amounts of MBPs can be released via compost and digestate.
Ecotoxicological impacts of MBPs are uncertain and potentially severe.

Conclusions:

Biodegradable plastics can lead to the formation and environmental spread of MBPs.
Compost and digestate may act as vectors for MBPs and adsorbed pollutants.
The shift to biodegradable plastics carries uncertain ecotoxicological consequences, potentially worse than conventional plastics.