Clariant Analytical Services

Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH CLAS Rhein-Main

TECHNICAL SHEET 016

Testing biodegradability
Biodegradation data is essential to assess the fate and behaviour of substances in the environment. The ready or ultimate biodegradability of substances, e. g. detergent ingredients is therefore an important factor in ecological risk assessment. Biodegradation is a natural process carried out by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in combination with oxygen. Enzymatic processes lead to the degradation of the original compound and to the formation of smaller organic molecules. Some of these are used for production of biomass and others are converted to carbon dioxide, water and minerals (mineralisation). Biodegradation may be partial or total.

activated sludge floc

vorticella

bacteria flagellate

Mineralisation: CnH2n+2
Microorganisms + O2

H2O + CO2

Contact: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Martina Hirschen CLAS Rhein-Main Industriepark Hchst Lab D562 Tel +049 (0) 69 305 16861 martina.hirschen@clariant.com

+049 (0) 69 305 55055 CLAS@clariant.com

www.clas.clariant.com

Biodegradation tests measure the mineralisation of the organic carbon of the test substance under aerobic conditions. Depending on the test procedure, the test substance is dissolved in a mineral nutrient medium at a concentration of 10-40 mg/l carbon or 5-100 mg/l theoretical oxygen demand. The solution is inoculated with a small amount of microorganisms from a municipal waste water treating plant. It is then incubated for 28 days at 20 24 C in the dark or in diffuse light. The biodegradation is followed at time intervals by measurement of oxygen depletion, CO2 evolution, the decrease of the content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or the decrease of chemical oxygen demand (COD).

Clariant Analytical Services

TECHNICAL SHEET 016

Testing biodegradability

Modified Sturm-Test (OECD 301 B) Aufbau des Sturm

(OECD 301 B)

- Tests
flow controller Durchfluss regler

air

barium hydroxide soln.

gas Waschflaschen wash bottles

soda Natronkalk lime sodium Natronlauge hydroxide soln.

air Luftverteiler distributor

Reaktionsgef incubation vessel

gas Waschflaschen wash bottles

Bariumhydroxid - Lsg.

The incubation vessels are aerated with CO2-free air. The CO2 that is produced during biodegradation of the test substance is absorbed in gas wash bottles containing barium hydroxide solution. The amount of carbon dioxide produced is determined at intervals by replacing the barium hydroxide bottles with fresh ones and titrating the excess base. The course of biodegradation is shown graphically as a biodegradation curve. Typical biodegradation curve:
100

90

80

70

% degradation

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 0 5 10 15 days sodium benzoate (reference substance) test substance (1) test substance (2) 20 25 30

10-days window: A 10-days window is used to define ready biodegradability. Within this time, a readily biodegradable substance must reach at least 60 % mineralisation based on CO2 production or O2 depletion, or 70 % based on DOC or COD reduction. The 10-days window begins when the degree of biodegradation has reached 10 % and must end within the 28 day test.

+049 (0) 69 305 55055 CLAS@clariant.com

www.clas.clariant.com