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Influence of Environmental Parameters on EDTA Biodegradation in Soils and Sediments
Author(s) -
Tiedje James M.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1977.00472425000600010006x
Subject(s) - soil water , environmental chemistry , biodegradation , chemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , incubation , cometabolism , anaerobic exercise , zoology , environmental engineering , contamination , environmental science , ecology , bioremediation , soil science , biology , physiology , telecommunications , biochemistry , organic chemistry , computer science
14 C‐EDTA (ethylenediaminetraacetate) was slowly degraded 14 CO 2 by all soils tested from the major agricultural EDTA use areas; by soils varying in uses, pH, and texture; and by sediments from the Detroit River. EDTA degradation appears to be a result of cometabolism by established microbial populations. Production of 14 CO 2 from EDTA occurred under aerobic but not anaerobic conditions. No detectable quantities of intermediates accumulated under either condition. EDTA degradation followed first‐order kinetics for concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 90 ppm. Degradation was observed up to 1,000 ppm EDTA, the highest concentration tested. The date of sample collection had a marked effect on extent of degradation with the winter‐collected samples showing greater than twice the degradation of summer‐collected samples. The Q 10 was two up to 30C. Initially degradation at 50C was limited, but after 9 weeks incubation the rate accelerated indicating the adaptation of thermo‐tolerant EDTA‐degrading populations. The extent of degradation among soils was variable; common values for 2 to 4 ppm of added 14 C‐EDTA mineralized were 13 to 45% after 15 weeks and 65 to 70% after 45 weeks.