Biodegradation mineralisation

This Gemini cationic surfactant could not be recovered from samples of biodegradation experiments performed in a lab-scale aerobic bioreactor [50] either because of complete biodegradation (mineralisation) or because of irreversible adsorption at the surface of the biodegradation device. 

Generally, LAS biodegradation processes were previously monitored either as primary biodegradation (a decreasing LAS concentration) or as mineralisation (formation of biomass and/or C02). Both processes have usually been fitted to a first order kinetics, but this approximation is only valid if there has been no prior acclimatisation phase an initial lag phase is usually present in biodegradation tests [4]. Nevertheless, first order kinetic constants may be used for special cases or for a preliminary characterisation of the process. 

Larson et al. [31] performed biodegradation assays of C 13-LAS in surface soils encompassing a range of different soil types (silt loam, loam, sand, sandy loam, silty clay). No soil had been previously exposed to LAS surfactants. The rate and extent of mineralisation were rather independent of the soil type with half-lives in the range of 1.1-4.9 days. The onset of biodegradation was not preceded by a noticeable lag phase... 

Mineralisation Conversion of a biodegradable plastic to C02, H20, inorganic compounds and biomass. For instance the carbon atoms in a biodegradable plastic are transformed to C02, which can then reenter the global carbon cycle. 

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