1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

This new standard test method is for biodegradation screening applicable to all types of organic materials. (i.e. paper, fiberboard, fibers, monomers, oligomers, biopolymers, biobased materials, polymers, wood, wool, cotton, bamboo, proteins, natural materials (polysaccharides), sustainable materials). This is a screening method adapted from ASTM 6691 developed in 2005 for D20.96. There are not many materials that biodegrade in the ocean, especially the deep ocean. Therefore, a screening method that optimizes conditions and parameters to promote mineralization of organic material under oceanic conditions is needed. This is a simple laboratory screening method that can be applied to a variety of materials concurrently and generates results that can determine whether more costly coastal and/or deep-sea testing should be performed.