Evaluating additive release from conventional and biodegradable mulch films

mg/kg phthalates and ATBC respectively, under static conditions). In contrast, PBAT exhibited the highest release of these compounds when extracted with organic solvents (47,19 ± 4,28 mg/kg and 2,03 ± 0,18 mg/kg respectively). Time-dependent correlation analyses showed a significant positive correlation between exposure time and additive release, particularly for PBAT (r = 0.90, p = 0.0023 for phthalates, r = 0.90, p = 0.0026 for ATBC), and PE (r = 0.96, p = 0.00003 for phthalates, r = 0.82, p = 0.007 for ATBC), highlighting a growing release pattern over time. The findings highlight the need to consider both the immediate and long-term impacts of mulch film contamination in soil. The results also provide insights into the comparative release behaviour of additives from biodegradable and conventional films, necessary for assessing their environmental safety.