Organic chemicals in many industrial sectors are being used more and more, which brings some worries concerning the persistence of organic compounds in aquatic systems. It is essential to determine if microorganisms capable of degrading found organic chemicals can degrade them under environmental conditions to lessen potential long-term ecological consequences. ISO 9408 was established to develop a laboratory test of the biodegradability of organic chemicals, as a ‘ Readily biodegradable test method’. But ISO 9408 tests only under aerobic conditions, as this is common (natural water bodies and wastewater treatment systems). It helps identify a substance as readily biodegradable and is useful for regulatory and impact assessments on the environment.
ISO 9408 Test Method
| Test procedure | This test is to check the biodegradability of a material by measuring oxygen consumption during biodegradation in a closed bottle system over 28 days (with headspace). The degradation percentage is calculated afterwards as a percentage of oxygen consumption to the theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD) |
| Test sample preparation | In this method, the concentration should be 100 mg/l of the test compound, but its theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD) should be at least 100 mg/l. |
