Degradation of bioplastic in marine water by microorganisms: chemical and spectroradiometric analyses to assess a future protocol

Abstract

The growing demand for biodegradable polymers as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics underscores the need for effective tools to monitor their environmental dispersion. Detecting bioplastics through remote sensing techniques poses a challenge because, unlike conventional plastics, bioplastics can undergo environmental degradation, potentially altering their spectral signatures and limiting their detectability. A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the applicability of spectroradiometric techniques for identifying and distinguishing these materials under natural conditions. Two commercial polylactic acid (PLA)-based materials were subjected to pseudo-marine degradation conditions, and their spectral signatures were recorded throughout the degradation period. Infrared (IR) characterisation highlighted differences in the polymeric structure of the two materials. These peculiarities were detected through spectroradiometric analyses that successfully distinguished and characterised the two commercial products after 6 months of exposure to degradation conditions. This study demonstrates that spectroradiometry provides a reliable, cost-effective method for monitoring and distinguishing between various plastic and bioplastic types, supporting waste management and environmental monitoring efforts.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Bioplastic / Marine litter / Bioplastic degradation / Commercial bioplastic characterisation / Spectroradiometer analyses / Remote sensing detection

Highlight

	● Microcosm experiments simulated marine conditions to monitor PLA degradation.
	● Spectroradiometry distinguished two commercial PLA-based biopolymers.
	● Spectral signatures of PLA-based materials remained stable over six months.
	● Stable reflectance supports remote sensing applications for bioplastic detection.

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