Introduction
Persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity are the main parameters considered in environmental hazard assessment. Out of these persistence is the key factor. Rapidly degrading chemicals are unlikely to cause adverse effects, and even if they do, there is a high probability that these effects can be reversed. Persistent chemicals on the other hand will continue to accumulate in the environment for as long as they will be released, and the damage that they might cause can be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. Therefore, persistence should be avoided by all means.
Testing Biodegradability
Biodegradability can be tested in several different ways which differ in test conditions, system complexity, environmental relevance, measurement method, and the kind of information they deliver (extensive information can be obtained from [5, 24, 45]). Based on the parameter that is measured, the biodegradability can be evaluated as:
Primary degradation – evaluates the...
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Markiewicz, M. (2020). Biodegradability of Ionic Liquids (ILs) Under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions. In: Zhang, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Ionic Liquids. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6739-6_56-1
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