scholarly journals Slow degradation of compostable plastic carrier bags in a stream and its riparian area

Author(s):  
Maxime Artru ◽  
Antoine Lecerf

There is no place on Earth where plastic debris could not be found. Impacts of plastics on aesthetics, biota and ecosystems are dependent on how long plastic items last, and what degradation products are released, in recipient environments. As bio-based plastics tend to replace petroleum-based plastics in everyday life, it is important to upgrade knowledge on the degradation of new polymers in natural environments. Single-use plastic carrier bags are nowadays made of bio-plastics certified as biodegradable and compostable. It is unclear, however, whether claims of biodegradability and compostability can be taken as evidence of rapid degradation of plastic bags outside recycling/composting facilities. This study sought to provide quantified information about the degradation of compostable plastic carrier bags in streams and riparian zones. We found that plastic samples enclosed in different types of mesh bags lost weight at extremely slow rates, albeit significant when submerged in a stream. 95% of initial plastic mass remained after 77 days spent in water whereas alder leaf litter allowed to decompose under the same condition had completely disappeared before the end of the study. Determination of respiration rate and invertebrate abundance in plastic samples showed a greater decomposer activity in the stream than in the riparian environment. However, biotically-mediated degradation by decomposers was probably overridden by dissolution processes in mediating plastic mass loss. Our findings suggest that mismanaged plastic carrier bags could impact recipient ecosystems even when they are claimed as biodegradable or compostable.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9953
Author(s):  
Morgana Weber Macena ◽  
Rita Carvalho ◽  
Luísa Paula Cruz-Lopes ◽  
Raquel P. F. Guiné

The use of plastics for packaging has some advantages, since they are flexible and inexpensive. However, most plastics are of single use, which, combined with low recycling or reuse ratios, contributes substantially to environmental pollution. This work is part of a project studying the habits of Portuguese citizens concerning plastic food packaging and focuses on aspects related to sustainability. The survey was carried out via an online questionnaire about sustainability, recycling, and knowledge of the effects of plastic materials or their residues on the environment. The results were obtained based on a statistical analysis of the data. The participants tend to think about the negative impact of plastic packages on the environment; 39% sometimes do not buy plastic; and 30% try to look for alternatives. A substantial fraction, 81%, support the avoidance of plastic utensils and reduction in the use of plastic bags. Most participants have a good knowledge of recycling and strongly agree with the use of recycled materials, and 87% of respondents practice separation of different types of waste for recycling. Changing plastic consumption habits has not been an easy task. Nevertheless, it is expected that society will increasingly move toward sustainable habits, questioning its actions and considering their impact on the environment.


Author(s):  
Ei Ei Htway ◽  
Aye Thida Htun ◽  
Thiri Hlaing ◽  
Moh Moh Lwin ◽  
Hla Myoe Min

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Ferreira ◽  
Hugo Moreiras ◽  
Ana Manhita ◽  
Paula Tomaz ◽  
José Mirão ◽  
...  

AbstractA 16th century liturgical cope belonging to D. Teotónio of Braganza (collection of the Museum of Évora, ME 172/1) was selected for a material study. The cope is made of a variety of materials that include two different types of metal threads, dyed silk yarns, and vegetable yarns used in the weft. Several samples from different points representing the different metal thread types and colored silk yarns were collected. Stereomicroscopy (optical microscopy) and scanning electron microscopy were used for morphological analysis of the textile fibers and evaluation of metal thread degradation products. Evaluation of mordants and metal thread composition was carried out by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometry detection was used for dye identification, which allowed the determination of three different red dye sources and one yellow dye source in the colored silk yarns. Although different fabrics were used in the manufacturing of the cope, similarities identified in the characterization of the materials suggest that a single workshop was involved in its making.


1989 ◽  
Vol 62 (04) ◽  
pp. 1043-1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F M M van Bergen ◽  
Eduard A R Knot ◽  
Jan J C Jonker ◽  
Auke C de Boer ◽  
Moniek P M de Maat

SummaryWe studied the diagnostic value of recently introduced ELISA’s for the determination of thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complexes, fibrin degradation products (FbDP), fibrinogen degradation products (FgDP) and total degradation products (TDP) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in plasma of 239 consecutive outpatients, suspected for DVT by their family doctor. DVT was confirmed by impedance plethysmography in 60 patients. Using the 95th percentile range of 42 healthy volunteers the sensitivity for the detection of DVT was: 37% for TAT, 95% for TDP, 92% for FbDP and 90% for FgDP. Specificity was: 88% for TAT, 16% for TDP, 20% for FbDP and 25% for FgDP.We conclude that these assays are of little value in the diagnosis of DVT in outpatients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 245-252
Author(s):  
V. V. Somov

In carrying out an investigation into the explosion, among others, the investigative version of the use of a single-use reactive grenade launcher is being considered. The most common for criminal explosions are applied grenade launchers RPG-18, RPG-22, RPG-26. Their use is due to a number of such properties as small size and weight, which makes it possible to transfer them covertly, the range of the shot significantly exceeding the range of the hand grenade throw, the high detonating effect of the rocket grenade explosion. The single-use rocket launchers are generally of the same design. Their differences are in the features of the components construction and dimensional characteristics, which are given in the article. On the basis of expert practice, details ofgrenade launchers that remain at the site of the explosion and have the least damage are determined. These details are the objects of investigation of the explosion technical expertise. These objects include launchers of grenade launchers and rocket parts ofjet grenades. The design features of the launchers, their dimensional characteristics and marking symbols make it possible to determine their belonging to a specific type of jet grenade launchers. Missile parts of jet grenades differ in the form of the combustion chamber of the jet engine, nozzle, in the size ofthe outlet section of the nozzle, in the form and size of the stabilizerfeathers. To determine the belonging of the rocket part of the grenade to a specific type ofjet grenade launcher, it’s necessary to establish a set of structural features and dimensional characteristics. At considerable damage of the combustion chamber of the jet engine, as a rule, the nozzle block remains intact that allows to define diameter of critical section of a nozzle, and on it to establish type of the used single-use grenade launcher.


Author(s):  
K. Srinivasa Rao ◽  
Keshar N K ◽  
N Jena ◽  
M.E.B Rao ◽  
A K Patnaik

A stability-indicating LC assay method was developed for the quantitative determination of fenofibrate (FFB) in pharmaceutical dosage form in the presence of its degradation products and kinetic determinations were evaluated in acidic, alkaline and peroxide degradation conditions. Chromatographic separation was achieved by use of Zorbax C18 column (250 × 4.0 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was established by mixing phosphate buffer (pH adjusted 3 with phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile (30:70 v/v). FFB degraded in acidic, alkaline and hydrogen peroxide conditions, while it was more stable in thermal and photolytic conditions. The described method was linear over a range of 1.0-500 μg/ml for determination of FFB (r= 0.9999). The precision was demonstrated by relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra-day (RSD= 0.56– 0.91) and inter-day studies (RSD= 1.47). The mean recovery was found to be 100.01%. The acid and alkaline degradations of FFB in 1M HCl and 1M NaOH solutions showed an apparent zero-order kinetics with rate constants 0.0736 and 0.0698  min−1 respectively and the peroxide degradation with 5% H2O2 demonstrated an apparent first-order kinetics with rate constant k = 0.0202 per min. The t1/2, t90   values are also determined for all the kinetic studies. The developed method was found to be simple, specific, robust, linear, precise, and accurate for the determination of FFB in pharmaceutical formulations.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 4594-4600

The purpose of this study was to characterize some types of biomass wastes resulted from different activities such as: agriculture, forestry and food industry using thermogravimetric and ICP-MS analyses. Also, it was optimized an ICP-MS method for the determination of As, Cd and Pb from biomass ash samples. The ICP-MS analysis revealed that the highest concentration of metals (As, Cd, Pb) was recorded in the wood waste ash sample, also the thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the highest amount of ash was obtained for the same sample (26.82%). The biomass wastes mentioned in this study are alternative recyclable materials, reusable as pellets and briquettes. Keywords: ash, biomass, ICP-MS, minor elements, TG


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1139-1144
Author(s):  
Iosif Lingvay ◽  
Adriana Mariana Bors ◽  
Livia Carmen Ungureanu ◽  
Valerica Stanoi ◽  
Traian Rus

For the purpose of using three different types of painting materials for the inner protection of the transformer vats, their behavior was studied under actual conditions of operation in the transformer (thermal stress in electro-insulating fluid based on the natural ester in contact with copper for electro-technical use and electro-insulating paper). By comparing determination of the content in furans products (HPLC technique) and gases formed (by gas-chromatography) in the electro-insulating fluid (natural ester with high oleic content) thermally aged at 130 �C to 1000 hours in closed glass vessels, it have been found that the presence the investigated painting materials lead to a change in the mechanism and kinetics of the thermo-oxidation processes. These changes are supported by oxygen dissolved in oil, what leads to decrease both to gases formation CO2, CO, H2, CH4, C2H4 and C2H6) and furans products (5-HMF, 2-FOL, 2 -FAL and 2-ACF). The painting materials investigated during the heat treatment applied did not suffer any remarkable structural changes affecting their functionality in the electro-insulating fluid based on vegetable esters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 671-689
Author(s):  
Marcin Gackowski ◽  
Marcin Koba ◽  
Katarzyna Mądra-Gackowska ◽  
Piotr Kośliński ◽  
Stefan Kruszewski

At present, no one can imagine drug development, marketing and post-marketing without rigorous quality control at each stage. Only modern, selective, accurate and precise analytical methods for determination of active compounds, their degradation products and stability studies are able to assure the appropriate amount and purity of drugs administered every day to millions of patients all over the world. For routine control of drugs simple, economic, rapid and reliable methods are desirable. The major focus of current scrutiny is placed on high-performance thin layer chromatography and derivative spectrophotometry methods, which fulfill routine drug estimation’s expectations [1-4]. The present paper reveals state-of-the-art and possible applications of those methods in pharmaceutical analysis between 2010 and 2018. The review shows advantages of high-performance thin layer chromatography and derivative spectrophotometry, including accuracy and precision comparable to more expensive and time-consuming methods as well as additional fields of possible applications, which contribute to resolving many analytical problems in everyday laboratory practice.


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