Biodegradation oxidized films

A further interesting aspect of heterogeneous photochemistry concerns oil spilled at sea near land, which is subjected to environmental effects such as evaporation, dissolution, photo oxidation, dispersion into the water column and biodegradation. The fate of heavy fuel oil stranded on rock was studied under different environmental conditions [87]. Samples exposed to full or reflected sunlight showed depletion of the larger and more alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons and formation of resins, in agreement with reported laboratory studies on thin films of oil. 

Applications currently promoted for oxidatively biodegradable plastics include, landfill covers and bags for landfill disposal, agricultural film and a route to alleviate litter. They do not currently meet compost bag use. 

Besides subsequent burial, it is possible that biodegradation and methane consumption are capable of reducing GOR as associated carbon dioxide and aldehydes/ketones/organo-acids (which may be intermediates from the oxidation events) are highly water soluble and readily lost from the trap by diffusion, even through interconnected films of water in less than perfectly tight caprocks, or from the OWC transition zone. 

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