Table 2.
Differences between the three types of degradation.
|
Biodegradation |
Minimum degradation [%] |
Timeframe of degradation |
Maximum test duration |
Analytical method |
Standard |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
inherently degradable |
70 |
within maximum duration |
14 days |
DOC or BOD analysis[a] |
OECD 302B or 302 C |
[92, 93] |
|
readily degradable |
60 |
10 days[b] |
28 days |
CO2 evolved or O2 demand |
OECD 301, 306, 310 |
[94–96] |
|
ultimately degradable |
90 |
within maximum duration |
6 months (aqueous); 24 months (soil, seawater/sediment) |
CO2 evolved or O2 demand |
ISO 14851, 14852 (aqueous), ISO 17556 (soil), ISO 19679, 18830 (seawater/sediment) |
[97–101] |
[a] DOC: dissolved organic carbon, BOD: biological oxygen demand. [b] Only after 10 % degradation is reached.