| dc.description.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. | en_US |
