Biodegradability of Cellulose Diacetate in Aqueous Environments

Abstract Cellulose acetate with a degree of substitution (DS) 2.5, commonly referred to as cellulose diacetate, has been discussed an important source microplastic in the environment, especially since it is used produce cigarette filters. According EU Single-Use Plastics Directive tobacco products are one ten most found SUP beach litter by number. However, at present only very few biodegradation studies natural microbial communities aqueous media have reported. In study aerobic simulation tests were performed on commercial materials according international standards (ASTM D6691, ISO 14851 and 19679) address this bias. diacetate proved be biodegradable or showed strong indication non-persistent freshwater (> 90% relative after 100 days 21 °C), seawater 142 30 °C) seawater/sediment interface 70% 360 25 under defined laboratory conditions. freshwater, was characterized prolonged lag phase (75 days), followed > short time frame (25 days). This indicates that abiotic degradation hydrolysis reduce DS not pre-requisite initiate diacetate. addition, can significantly shortened (from 75 5 days) using pre-adapted microorganisms. contrast what could expected from literature our demonstrates microorganisms adapt high 2.5 metabolize material. underlines importance get more realistic idea persistence polymer