Can biodegradable plastic polymers degrade in the environment through natural biological processes?

Yes, biodegradable plastic polymers can degrade in the environment through natural biological processes. These polymers are designed to be degraded by microorganisms or enzymes into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, organic matter, or biomass under appropriate environmental conditions (such as temperature, humidity, microbial activity, etc.).
The degradation process of biodegradable plastic polymers typically involves the following steps:
Initial degradation: After biodegradable plastic polymers are exposed to appropriate environments (such as soil, water, or compost piles), microorganisms begin to attach to the surface of the polymer and release enzymes to decompose the polymer.
Molecular chain breakage: Enzymes act on polymer molecular chains, causing them to break into smaller molecules or monomers. This makes polymers more easily absorbed and metabolized by microorganisms.
Microbial metabolism: The decomposed polymer molecules are absorbed by microorganisms and metabolized into energy, carbon sources, and other metabolic products. These metabolites are ultimately released into the environment through the new metabolism of microorganisms.
Final degradation: After a series of biochemical reactions, the decomposition products of polymers are ultimately completely degraded into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, organic matter, or biomass. These substances can be utilized or recycled by other organisms in the environment.
It should be noted that the degradation rate and degree of biodegradable plastic polymers depend on various factors, including environmental conditions (such as temperature, humidity, oxygen levels), polymer type and composition, microbial activity levels, etc. In some cases, such as in compost piles or soil, the degradation rate may be faster, while in other cases, such as in water, the degradation rate may be slower.
Although biodegradable plastic polymers can degrade in the environment, appropriate environmental conditions and a certain amount of time are still required to complete the degradation process. Therefore, proper handling and disposal practices are crucial to ensure the effective degradation of biodegradable plastics.