Polymer material biodegradation in the deep sea. A review.

The phenomenon of marine plastic pollution is now well-established, with documented impacts on marine biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles. In order to mitigate this environmental impact, a significant amount of research has been conducted in recent years with the objective of developing biodegradable alternatives to conventional polymers and their composites in marine environments. The findings of this research significantly enhanced our understanding of biodegradation mechanisms and identified promising candidates.

(Bio)degradation of biopolymer and biocomposite in deep-sea environments.

In order to reduce the contamination of marine ecosystems by plastic materials, the scientific community is engaged in the development of biodegradable substitutes for conventional plastics. While certain candidates have been successfully tested in coastal marine environments, the degradation process in deep-sea environments remains poorly understood. This study examined the degradation of two industrial biopolyesters, a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and a polybutylene-succinate (PBS), in two deep marine environments of the Middle and Eastern Atlantic, at depths of 780 and 1740 m, as well as under laboratory conditions under hydrostatic pressure and without micro-organisms.