1. ‣ASTM D5988-03
   

1. ‣Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting
   

2. 
   

1. ‣Monitors the level of microbial activity of aerobic organisms (inoculum) as they are exposed to test material.
   

2. ‣If the inoculum recognizes the test material as a nutrient source, then an increase in activity is recorded in the form of gas evolution.
   

3. ‣The evolved gas is absorbed and precipitated in a caustic solution.
   

4. •Reverse titration is employed to determine amount of CO2 evolved from sample.
   

5. ‣Samples are setup in triplicate and and run against three or four triplicate controls.
   

6. • Positive Control - Cellulose
   

7. • Negative Control - Polyethylene
   

8. • Inoculum Control - Background
   

9. • Negative Untreated Control - Optional
   

10. ‣Results are reported in percent biodegraded per time tested.
    

3. 
   

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