ASTM D7473 Weight Attrition of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Open System Aquarium Incubations
The Weight Attrition of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Open System Aquarium Incubations can be determined using the standard test method ASTM D7473. The aquarium incubation test method allows representative indigenous microorganisms present in seawater and marine sediment to be enriched for and carry out biodegradation.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Overview
ASTM D7473 describes a standard test method for evaluating the weight attrition (mass loss) of plastic materials when exposed to simulated marine environmental conditions using open-system aquarium incubations. This method addresses the growing need to assess the biodegradability and degradation behavior of plastics in oceanic environments.
This test is highly relevant to the development of environmentally acceptable marine plastics, compostable packaging, and biodegradable materials targeted for ocean-safe applications. It provides a controlled, reproducible approach to simulate real marine degradation conditions.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM D7473 covers the measurement of:
- Gravimetric weight loss of plastic specimens in marine water
- Degradation rate under aerobic marine conditions
- Effects of marine microorganisms, UV, and mechanical agitation on plastics
- Comparative biodegradability between plastic formulations
Applications
- Marine biodegradable plastic development and qualification
- Environmental impact assessment of plastic products
- Regulatory compliance for ocean-safe material claims
- Research on microplastic formation and degradation
- Sustainable packaging development for marine markets
Benefits
- Simulates realistic marine biodegradation conditions
- Uses living marine microbiota for authentic biotic degradation
- Simple gravimetric measurement provides clear degradation data
- Enables comparative evaluation of different plastic formulations
- Supports eco-design and sustainability claims for marine plastics
Test Process
Specimen Preparation
Prepare plastic specimens of defined size and weight; clean, dry, and record initial mass to ±0.1 mg accuracy.
1Aquarium Setup
Set up open-system aquaria with natural seawater or synthetic marine medium containing active marine microbiota.
2Incubation
Submerge specimens in marine aquaria under controlled conditions for the set incubation period.
3Weight Attrition Measurement
Remove, clean, dry, and reweigh specimens at intervals to calculate % weight loss.
4Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM D7473 |
| Test Principle | Gravimetric weight loss in marine aquarium incubation |
| Applicable Materials | Solid plastic specimens |
| Test Medium | Natural or synthetic seawater with marine microbiota |
| Measured Output | Percentage weight loss over time |
| Temperature | Controlled to simulate marine conditions |
Instrumentation Used for Testing
- Open-system marine aquaria with aeration
- Analytical balance (±0.1 mg resolution)
- Temperature control system
- UV lighting (optional, to simulate solar exposure)
- Specimen cleaning equipment (soft brush and deionized water)
- Marine water quality monitoring instruments
Results and Deliverables
- Weight attrition percentage at each measurement interval
- Weight loss vs. time degradation curves
- Comparative degradation rates between plastic formulations
- Biodegradability assessment under marine conditions
- Visual observations of specimen appearance changes
- Data for environmental impact assessments and eco-labeling support
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Frequently Asked Questions
Weight attrition refers to the measurable mass loss of a plastic specimen over time due to biodegradation, physical erosion, dissolution, or a combination of these processes in the marine environment.
ASTM D7473 uses an open-system aquarium with living marine organisms and seawater to simulate actual ocean conditions, as opposed to controlled laboratory soil or compost biodegradation tests that use terrestrial environments.
Immerse a few granules of sample in distilled water at ambient temperature. Float/Sink Samples made from PLA and PBAT will sink, and samples made from PE and PP will float on water. These plastics are compostable. When we burn Styrene-based samples, we observe dense black smoke with soot.
Not necessarily. Weight loss can result from physical fragmentation, dissolution, or biological consumption. Complete biodegradation requires conversion to CO₂, H₂O, and biomass, which may need additional analytical methods to confirm.
The incubation period can range from several weeks to many months, depending on the material's expected degradation rate and the study objectives. Longer incubations are typical for slow-degrading conventional plastics.
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