Summary
ASTM D5988 is used to determine the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in soil. To do so, the oxygen consumption or CO2 evolution is measured. This test is designed to measure the biodegradability of plastics relative to a reference material in an aerobic environment. It is suitable for all polymers that are non-inhibitory to the bacteria and fungi naturally present in soil.
ASTM D5988 Testing Method
The material is added to the soil in the form of films, pieces, fragments, powders, or in an aqueous solution. Over the course of six months, the sample is allowed to degrade, with measurements taken frequently. Respirometry is used to determine the biodegradability of the test plastic by measuring the CO2 formation or oxygen consumption.
ASTM D5988 Testing with Aropha
When you are looking for quality, streamlined biodegradability testing, Aropha is here to help you. We strive to provide our customers with affordable, fast biodegradability testing that helps get their research to market as quickly as possible. No matter what product you are looking to test, our team has the experience and testing methods necessary to determine the biodegradability, compostability, and ecotoxicity of your chosen material. To make sure our processes are as efficient and accurate as possible, we offer digital twin simulations and lab biodegradability testing, allowing us to determine your product’s biodegradability from research through production. Our team can also help you obtain certain eco-labels or substantiate marketing claims by providing you with the necessary test documentation.
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ASTM D5988 Requirement and Applicability
Different testing methods are applicable for materials with different properties. Below is a summary of the applicability of ASTM D5988. Please check our Method Selection Guide to select the most appropriate method for your materials. You can also find the applicability for many other methods in our Resource Center.| Test | Analytical method | Sample info required * | Poorly soluble | Volatile | Adsorbing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygen demand in a respirometer | Oxygen | ThOD* | + | + | + |
| CO2 evolution | CO2 | Organic carbon content* | + | - | + |
*“Sample info required” is the information needed to calculate the biodegradation percentages. This must be available for a selected method.
*“ThOD” can be easily calculated based on the chemical formula of the sample. Try our Online ThOD Calculator.
*“Organic carbon content” is the ratio of the organic carbon weight to the weight of the sample. It can be calculated by the chemical formula (e.g., acetic acid C2H4O2, carbon content is 12*2/(12*2+1*4+16*2)=40%). Try our Online C% Calculator. If the formula is unknown, we can send the sample out to a third party lab for you for analysis (normally $110 with a 10-day turnaround time).
Pricing
$2299/sample for High-Throughput Screening$4599/sample for Biodegradability Certification