Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Plasticizers01:31

Plasticizers

63
Water-reducers, or plasticizers, are chemical admixtures used in concrete to improve strength and workability. These additives reduce the water-cement ratio without compromising workability, lower the cement content while maintaining the same workability, or increase workability to assist concrete placement in inaccessible areas.
Plasticizers function by using surface-active agents to create repulsive electrostatic forces between cement particles. This dispersion enhances the concrete's...
63
Deleterious Substances in Aggregate01:25

Deleterious Substances in Aggregate

138
Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
138
Superplasticizers01:30

Superplasticizers

76
Superplasticizers are advanced admixtures that enhance the workability of concrete by lowering the water content without compromising the strength of the material. These substances are highly effective water reducers, improving concrete flow, making it easier to work with, and enabling concrete to reach inaccessible areas or densely reinforced sections without mechanical vibration. The key components in superplasticizers are either sulfonated melamine or naphthalene formaldehyde condensates,...
76
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

18.1K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
18.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Domestic dog exposure to glyphosate in Australia.

Environmental toxicology and chemistry·2026
Same author

Trends of Fentanyl and Oxycodone Use in Australia (2018-2022) in National Prescription and Wastewater Data Sets.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies.

Environment & health (Washington, D.C.)·2026
Same author

Detection and Quantification of Antifouling Paint Particles in Marine Sediments by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH Trial.

Nature medicine·2026
Same author

Plastics, plastic chemicals, and microplastics: multiple harms to health.

Lancet (London, England)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2025

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

30.5K

Unearthing the hidden plastic in garden compost.

Simran Kaur1, Elvis D Okoffo2, Kevin V Thomas2

  • 1Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.

The Science of the Total Environment
|March 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Plastic residues, including biodegradable types, are present in compost and potting mixes. Polybutylene succinate (PBS) was detected in all samples, highlighting potential environmental contamination from garden amendments.

Keywords:
Biodegradable plasticCompostMicroplasticPotting mixPyrolysis-GC–MS

More Related Videos

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils
14:10

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

1.3K
Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
14:34

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Published on: May 6, 2010

10.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2025

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

30.5K
Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils
14:10

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

1.3K
Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
14:34

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Published on: May 6, 2010

10.8K

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Compost and potting mixes are increasingly recognized as sources of conventional and biodegradable plastic polymer residues in soil.
  • Biodegradable polymers, both bio-based (e.g., polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polybutylene succinate (PBS)) and fossil-based (e.g., polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)), require specific conditions for degradation, raising environmental concerns.
  • The prevalence and impact of these plastic polymers in compost used for soil improvement are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and prevalence of selected conventional and biodegradable plastic polymers in Australian commercial potting mixes and homemade composts.
  • To quantify the concentrations of these plastic residues using advanced analytical techniques.
  • To assess the potential contribution of compost and potting mixes to plastic contamination in domestic gardens.

Main Methods:

  • Pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC-MS) was employed to analyze samples.
  • Selected conventional polymers (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS)) and biodegradable polymers (PLA, PHA, PBS, PCL, PBAT) were targeted.
  • Polymer concentrations were determined in milligrams per gram (mg/g) or micrograms per gram (μg/g) dry weight (d.w.).

Main Results:

  • Polybutylene succinate (PBS) was detected in all analyzed compost and potting mix samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.39 μg/g d.w.
  • Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were found in one sample each at low concentrations (0.12–0.18 mg/g d.w.). Polycarbonate (PC) was present in two samples (mean 0.04 mg/g d.w.).
  • Polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) were detected in one and two samples, respectively, at low concentrations (0.03–0.09 μg/g d.w.). Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) were not detected or excluded due to interferences/detection limits.
  • Estimated plastic application to domestic gardens in Australia via compost/potting mix ranged from 0.02 to 0.6 g/m².

Conclusions:

  • Compost and potting mixes serve as a pathway for plastic polymer contamination into Australian soils.
  • Polybutylene succinate (PBS) is a common contaminant across various compost and potting mix products.
  • The findings underscore the need for better understanding and management of plastic residues in soil amendments to mitigate environmental risks.