Degradation characteristics of bio-based teabags buried in soil, UK, November 2021-June 2022
https://doi.org/10.5285/24eddfa6-c97e-4a27-a84f-063ab3981058
Cite this dataset as:
Courtene-Jones, W.; Burgevin, F.; Munns, L.; Shillam, M.B.T.; De Falco, F.; Buchard, A.; Handy, R.D.; Thompson, R.C.; Hanley, M.E. (2024). Degradation characteristics of bio-based teabags buried in soil, UK, November 2021-June 2022. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/24eddfa6-c97e-4a27-a84f-063ab3981058
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By accessing or using this dataset, you agree to the terms of the relevant licence agreement(s). You will ensure that this dataset is cited in any publication that describes research in which the data have been used.
This dataset is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence 
This dataset contains a range of measurements associated with the degradation of Polylactic acid (PLA)-cellulose based teabags, buried in soil. Degradation measurements were calculated following a 7-month burial period from November 2021 to June 2022.
Variables measured include: mass change, mass change of PLA, crystallinity change, and pyrolysis gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GCMS) data for each teabag type.
This research is part of the BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project, funded by Natural Environment Research Council through the grants NE/V007556/1 and NE/V007246/1.
Variables measured include: mass change, mass change of PLA, crystallinity change, and pyrolysis gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GCMS) data for each teabag type.
This research is part of the BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project, funded by Natural Environment Research Council through the grants NE/V007556/1 and NE/V007246/1.
Publication date: 2024-08-29
View numbers valid from 29 August 2024 Download numbers valid from 29 August 2024 (information prior to this was not collected)
Format
Comma-separated values (CSV)
Spatial information
Study area
Spatial representation type
Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system
OSGB 1936 / British National Grid
Temporal information
Temporal extent
2021-11-01 to 2022-06-01
Temporal resolution
7 months
Provenance & quality
Three teabags brands were characterised when new, and after 7 month buried in soil (10 cm deep) in an arable field margin. Samples were deployed in November 2021 and sampled in June 2022 (five replicates). Samples were immediately transported to the lab, washed thoroughly in MilliQ deinoised water, and dried at 40 °C overnight. Mass loss was calculated between new and 7 month-old teabags. Samples were then preserved under vacuum in mylar bags inside sealed polyethylene bags and stored at 4°C until further analysis.
To determine the proportion of cellulose to PLA in the teabags, teabags were placed in chloroform at room temperature for 30 minutes to dissolve the PLA components, filtered and mass ratio was calculated. The chemical composition of new teabags were confirmed in-house using pyrolysis coupled to 2D gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Py-GCxGC-TOF MS; 80-100 µg, n = 3)
To determine the proportion of cellulose to PLA in the teabags, teabags were placed in chloroform at room temperature for 30 minutes to dissolve the PLA components, filtered and mass ratio was calculated. The chemical composition of new teabags were confirmed in-house using pyrolysis coupled to 2D gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Py-GCxGC-TOF MS; 80-100 µg, n = 3)
Licensing and constraints
This dataset is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence
Cite this dataset as:
Courtene-Jones, W.; Burgevin, F.; Munns, L.; Shillam, M.B.T.; De Falco, F.; Buchard, A.; Handy, R.D.; Thompson, R.C.; Hanley, M.E. (2024). Degradation characteristics of bio-based teabags buried in soil, UK, November 2021-June 2022. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/24eddfa6-c97e-4a27-a84f-063ab3981058
Related
Correspondence/contact details
Authors
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7893-5322
Burgevin, F.
University of Bath
Munns, L.
University of Plymouth
Shillam, M.B.T.
University of Plymouth
De Falco, F.
University of Plymouth
Buchard, A.
University of York
Handy, R.D.
University of Plymouth
Hanley, M.E.
University of Plymouth
Other contacts
Rights holder
University of Plymouth
Custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Publisher
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Additional metadata
Keywords
Funding
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/V007556/1
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/V007246/1
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/V007246/1