ISO 23977-2:2020 PDF

Plastics — Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater — Part 2: Method by measuring the oxygen demand in closed respirometer

Open preview (PDF)

Title (English):

ISO 23977-2:2020

Plastics — Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater — Part 2: Method by measuring the oxygen demand in closed respirometer

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 12
Publication date:: November 10, 2020
Edition:: ISO IS 23977 edition 1 version 1
ICS:: 83.080.01

Delivery type:

Full version25 €Read online 24h10 €Read online 72h15 €

Document language:

enru

Delivery time:Immediate download

Price:25 €

Description (English):

This document specifies a laboratory test method for determining the degree and rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials. Biodegradation of plastic materials is determined by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer when exposed to seawater sampled from coastal areas under laboratory conditions. The conditions described in this document might not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation, however this test method is designed to give an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials. NOTE This document addresses plastic materials but can also be used for other materials.

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 14 - Environmental aspects
SKU: ISO 23977-2:2020

Abstract

Overview

ISO 23977-2:2020 - Plastics: Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater (Part 2) specifies a laboratory test method that measures the aerobic biodegradability of plastics (and other materials) in seawater by monitoring oxygen demand in a closed respirometer. The method provides an indication of the potential biodegradability of a material when exposed to coastal seawater microbial communities under controlled laboratory (mesophilic) conditions.

Key topics and technical requirements

Test principle: Biodegradation is followed by measuring biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in a closed respirometric system; evolved CO2 is absorbed and oxygen consumption is recorded. Results are expressed as % biodegradation relative to theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD).
Two test variants:
- Pelagic seawater test - seawater only (simulates offshore/pelagic conditions).
- Suspended sediment seawater test - seawater with small amounts of sediment (simulates coastal areas with currents/tides).
Test environment: Incubation under dark or diffused light at mesophilic temperatures (preferably 15–25 °C, not exceeding 28 °C), controlled to ±1 °C.
Duration: Tests can run for extended periods (up to two years) to capture lag, biodegradation and plateau phases and determine the maximum level of biodegradation.
Analytical considerations: Calculation and interpretation compare measured BOD to ThOD; nitrification influences must be considered. Pre-conditioning, test setup, reference materials, and visual inspection are specified.
Quality and reporting: Sections cover validity of results, required test report content, and apparatus examples (e.g., respirometric systems). Normative references include ISO standards for sampling, TOC/DOC, pH, and sample preparation.

Applications

Assessing marine biodegradability of plastics, polymers and other materials intended for use in or likely to reach marine environments.
Supporting eco-design, material selection, environmental risk assessments, and claims about marine-degradable products.
Generating standardized laboratory data for regulators, product developers, certification bodies and environmental testing laboratories.

Who should use this standard

Materials scientists and R&D teams developing biodegradable plastics.
Environmental testing laboratories and contract testing services.
Product compliance, regulatory affairs, and sustainability teams in plastics and packaging industries.
Certification bodies and academic researchers studying marine biodegradation.

Related standards

ISO 23977-1 (other marine biodegradation tests)
ISO 14852, ISO 14853, ISO 14855-1/2, ISO 17556, ISO 19679, ISO 22404, ISO 18830, ISO 5667-3, ISO 8245, ISO 10210 (sampling, TOC/DOC, sample prep and complementary biodegradation methods)

Keywords: ISO 23977-2:2020, biodegradation, seawater, closed respirometer, BOD, ThOD, marine biodegradability, plastics testing.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Test principle: Biodegradation is followed by measuring biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in a closed respirometric system; evolved CO2 is absorbed and oxygen consumption is recorded. Results are expressed as % biodegradation relative to theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD).
Two test variants:
- Pelagic seawater test - seawater only (simulates offshore/pelagic conditions).
- Suspended sediment seawater test - seawater with small amounts of sediment (simulates coastal areas with currents/tides).
Test environment: Incubation under dark or diffused light at mesophilic temperatures (preferably 15–25 °C, not exceeding 28 °C), controlled to ±1 °C.
Duration: Tests can run for extended periods (up to two years) to capture lag, biodegradation and plateau phases and determine the maximum level of biodegradation.
Analytical considerations: Calculation and interpretation compare measured BOD to ThOD; nitrification influences must be considered. Pre-conditioning, test setup, reference materials, and visual inspection are specified.
Quality and reporting: Sections cover validity of results, required test report content, and apparatus examples (e.g., respirometric systems). Normative references include ISO standards for sampling, TOC/DOC, pH, and sample preparation.

Applications

Assessing marine biodegradability of plastics, polymers and other materials intended for use in or likely to reach marine environments.
Supporting eco-design, material selection, environmental risk assessments, and claims about marine-degradable products.
Generating standardized laboratory data for regulators, product developers, certification bodies and environmental testing laboratories.

Who should use this standard

Materials scientists and R&D teams developing biodegradable plastics.
Environmental testing laboratories and contract testing services.
Product compliance, regulatory affairs, and sustainability teams in plastics and packaging industries.
Certification bodies and academic researchers studying marine biodegradation.

Related standards

ISO 23977-1 (other marine biodegradation tests)
ISO 14852, ISO 14853, ISO 14855-1/2, ISO 17556, ISO 19679, ISO 22404, ISO 18830, ISO 5667-3, ISO 8245, ISO 10210 (sampling, TOC/DOC, sample prep and complementary biodegradation methods)

Keywords: ISO 23977-2:2020, biodegradation, seawater, closed respirometer, BOD, ThOD, marine biodegradability, plastics testing.

ISO 23977-2:2020 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications

Who should use this standard

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications

Who should use this standard

Related standards

Related standards

Plastics. Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater. Method by ana…

Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium - Method by…

Plastics. Determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in an aqueous system. M…

Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting condi…

Plastics - Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in soil by measuring t…

Plastics - Determination of aerobic biodegradation of non-floating plastic materials in a seawater/sediment i…

Plastics - Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of non-floating materials exposed to marine sediment -…

Plastics - Determination of aerobic biodegradation of non-floating plastic materials in a seawater/sandy sedi…