Studi Karakteristik Tanah dan Air Pasca Biodegradasi Bioplastik Berbahan Baku Pati Limbah Batang Kelapa Sawit

Abstract

The increasing use of conventional plastics has raised serious environmental concerns. Bioplastics, as an environmentally friendly alternative, have attracted considerable attention. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of soil and water following the biodegradation of bioplastics made from palm oil trunk waste starch. The bioplastic used in this study was produced using starch derived from palm oil trunk waste. Post-biodegradation, the soil and water samples were analyzed for several parameters. For water, the parameters included pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD); for soil, pH and organic matter content were measured. The analyses were conducted using standard methods established by health and environmental agencies. The results indicate that the biodegradation of bioplastics derived from palm oil trunk starch has a positive impact on soil and water characteristics. In soil, the pH levels of Andosol and Podsolic soils returned to stability after a temporary decrease, accompanied by an increase in organic carbon content, especially in Andosol, which enhanced soil fertility. In seawater and river water, biodegradation led to an increase in TSS and BOD levels, indicating higher microbial activity. Based on the BOD test results, the biodegradation process is still in the exponential phase, characterized by rapid microbial growth and active organic matter degradation. However, the process has not yet entered the mortality phase, where the degradation rate slows due to resource depletion. Overall, this biodegradation process is safe for soil and water quality, supports ecosystem health, and represents an environmentally friendly alternative for waste management.