Biodegradation in a soil environment of activated sludge derived polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHBV)

Mechanisms of biodegradation were examined by means of physico-chemical characterisation and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Biodegradation occurred at the polymer surface and the rate was governed by both biodeterioration and depolymerisation, which were shown to be controlled by a combination of copolymer composition, crystallinity, microstructure and surface morphology.