Biodegradation

Biodegradation studies provide a very important piece of information on the fate of a chemical or mixture of chemicals (waste streams, etc.) in the environment. Biodegradation is the only process that can completely mineralize a chemical to inert materials such as carbon dioxide, water and inorganic salts. Springborn Smithers conducts the full range of standardized biodegradation tests from the simple screening tests to more complex simulation tests. Additionally, we offer customized biodegradation studies to simulate unique environmental compartments and obtain specific data on acclimation, rate constants, biodegradation intermediates, and chemical toxicity. Cost-effective biodegradation screening programs are designed to evaluate the biodegradability characteristics of a wide range of chemical types. These include agrochemicals, polymers, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials, plastics, detergents, lubricants, foodstuffs, process streams and other organics.

Screening Tests: Biodegradation can be described simplistically as the growth (metabolism) of an initial population of microorganisms on a substrate (test substance). By following the disappearance of the test substance and the formation of transient intermediates through the use of specific methodologies, information critical to clients needs is developed. Springborn conducts a variety of such screening tests.
Simulation Tests: One limitation of biodegradation screening tests is that the test substances may not pass ready biodegradation tests, but may be degradable in systems more closely simulating "real world" ecosystems. These simulation tests can overcome some of the problems associated with screening tests.
Sealed Vessel Test