ABSTRACT
There is an increasing demand for environmentally compatible lubricants. Lubricants are usually hydrocarbonic substances of organic origin. Accordingly, there are microorganisms having the capability of breaking down lubricants. This chapter discusses the significance of common tests used to evaluate the biodegradability of lubricants. There is a huge variety of test methods for testing the biodegradation of lubricants, organic substances, or chemicals in general. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 01 B and comparable tests are the most used methods to measure biodegradation of lubricants, maybe due to the fact that carbon dioxide evolution tests are often integrated into guidelines for awarding environmental labels, e.g. “Blue Angel.” Considering that biodegradability of lubricants is about protection and preservation of nature and the environment, the examples shown make it quite clear that the reliability of a test method is of great importance and that tests determining biodegradation should be state-of-the-art and as precise as possible.
