While the pH change, weight reduction, mineralization
level and absorption spectra provide solid evidence of
polymer biodegradation, the changes of surface of LDPE
films were elucidated by SEM. Control sample has an
appearance of smooth surface having no pits, cracks or any
particles attached on the surface (Fig. 3a). In the case of
LDPE film treated with the bacterial isolate BSM-1, it was
found that several cracks on the surface developed after
60 days of treatment. Simultaneously, microbes were also
noticed on the film surface indicate its strong adhering
capabilities as well as LDPE utilization capacities
(Fig. 3b). The film treated with the bacterial isolate BSM-2
found to have bacterial attachment on higher rate as
compared to BSM-1. Clear mark of degradation can be
seen at places where initially microbes were attached along
with the pockets and pits around (Fig. 3c). For both the
strains, at different places on the surface several colonies
forming biofilm can be observed.