plastics,wood,etc degradation lifetime

[deleted-43419]

i wanted to know abt the lifetime of the materials like...vegetable peels,,,wood,,plastics...and other biodegradable products..like,leather,,etc! i think u understand..what i am asking for,,! soo plz kindly help me !
thanking u!
i need the information within 2 hrs!
i hope u keep answering my questions!!!
harsha

[MelissaB]

Hi,

Science Buddies is a web forum and not a chat room. This means that we have experts who answer questions every day, but due to the fact that they are in many different time zones, it can be 24-48 hours before you get a response.

The simple answer to your question is that it depends a great deal on many variables. For example, are these items to be buried, or are they just lying on top of something? What type of soil is it? Items in peat bogs have been preserved intact without degradation for thousands of years. It also depends on the types and numbers of microorganisms in the soil, because they are the ones breaking down the items.

This would make a great science experiment, but it can take quite a bit of time for things to break down. Still, that is a potential answer to your question.

[deleted-43419]

i just didn't want to do the project...but also needed a simple and quick response to my question!!
i don't think..there should be..any difference b/w the microbes..etc..etc..!
i m sorry if i m wrong..! but it was a general question from my side and expected a simple answer,, in a normal soil.,,in normal microorganisms.in ...normal conditions,,,.!i couldn't get the straight away answer! i am sorry if i am going wrong towards ur policy,,,but according to me i didn't get the answer i wanted!
hope u reply in a peaceful manner.. ..as u r one of the experts[for me]
thank u!
keep replying me...'
harsha

[deleted-43419]

i wanted to know abt the lifetime of the materials like...vegetable peels,,,wood,,plastics...and other biodegradable products..like,leather,,etc! i think u understand..what i am asking for,,! soo plz kindly help me !
thanking u!
i need the information within 2 hrs!
i hope u keep answering my questions!!!
harsha

[deleted-43419]

i just didn't want to do the project...but also needed a simple and quick response to my question!!
i don't think..there should be..any difference b/w the microbes..etc..etc..!
i m sorry if i m wrong..! but it was a general question from my side and expected a simple answer,, in a normal soil.,,in normal microorganisms.in ...normal conditions,,,.!i couldn't get the straight away answer! i am sorry if i am going wrong towards ur policy,,,but according to me i didn't get the answer i wanted!
hope u reply in a peaceful manner.. ..as u r one of the experts[for me]
thank u!
keep replying me...'
harsha

[donnahardy2]

Hi Harsha,

I think Melissa is right; this probably is not the right forum for answering questions. We have experts available with various backgrounds, but we don't necessarily have answers to specific questions. We're much better at giving advice for doing a science projects.

The breakdown of various materials is a great topic for a science project. Once a material gets wet, there are all kinds of bacteria and fungi that will start to degrade the macromolecules in various materials. The specific microbes involved in the breakdown will vary depending on the temperature, pH, availability of oxygen, surface area, and presence of microbial inhibitors. These are all parameters that can be considered in studying the recycling of various materials.

Donna Hardy

[deleted-43419]

thanks for the advice,donna ..ji.
i respect your words.

harsha