Biodegradability of the compounds introduced with microelement fertilizers into the environment

The results of laboratory studies into the oxygen biodegradation of chelating substances in aqueous medium under kinetic and static test conditions with added glucose as an additional source of carbon, are presented. It has been found that S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (S,S-EDDS) and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) are more readily degradable than ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), most commonly used in the production of microelement fertilizers. It has also been found that the presence of additional carbon sources accelerates biodegradation.