METHOD OF MEASURING BIODEGRADATION RATE OF UNNATURAL ORGANIC COMPOUND

摘要

A method of measuring the biodegradation rate of an unnatural organic compound characterized by comprising, in the biodegradation of the unnatural organic compound in a biodegradation medium, measuring the radioactive carbon isotope 14C level in the biodegradation medium and measuring the biodegradation rate of the unnatural organic compound based on the difference between the 14C level thus measured and the 14C level of the present carbon. It is also possible to employ a metal such as iron in the medium as an internal standard. According to this method, the biodegradation rate of an unnatural organic compound can be safely, conveniently, quickly and highly accurately measured without resort to any special measure to radiation.