A screening model for fate and transport of biodegradable polyesters in soil

A numerical model for predicting the fate and transport of biodegradable polyester residues in soil, following successive applications of mulch film, was developed and applied. The polymer, applied on surface soil, was assumed to be converted into by-products (monomers), according to a first order k...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental management 2008-09, Vol.88 (4), p.1078-1087
Main Authors: Saponaro, Sabrina, Sezenna, Elena, Degli Innocenti, Francesco, Mezzanotte, Valeria, Bonomo, Luca
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural use
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biodegradable polyester
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Fate
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agroecology
General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping
General agronomy. Plant production
General aspects
Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development
Leaching
Models, Theoretical
Numerical modeling
Polyesters
Polyesters - chemistry
Polyesters - metabolism
Polymers
Soil
Soil contamination
Soil Pollutants - chemistry
Soil Pollutants - metabolism
Soils
Transport
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A numerical model for predicting the fate and transport of biodegradable polyester residues in soil, following successive applications of mulch film, was developed and applied. The polymer, applied on surface soil, was assumed to be converted into by-products (monomers), according to a first order kinetics with constant K 1deg. The monomers released were assumed to sorb on soil organic matter (according to a first-order kinetics with constant K s), to be leached with the seepage water, through vertical advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, and biodegraded (according to a first-order kinetics with constant K b). Results suggested that, to assess a possible build-up of mulch film (as a polymer) on the surface soil, the degradation constant K 1deg relating the polymer conversion to by-products should be known, whereas the biodegradation constant K b indicates there is no danger of groundwater pollution. Likewise, on the basis of by-product concentration in deep soil, soil pollution should not occur.
ISSN:0301-4797
1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.05.010