[Biodegradation behavior of ethylenediaminetetraethylene acid]

Aerobic and anaerobic degradability of ethylenediaminetetraethylene acid(EDTA) were measured on Warburg respirometer and anaerobic batch reactors. Biodegradation of EDTA as a single substance was poor, but biodegradation of EDTA with co-substrate could be improved. The wastewater containing EDTA can be treated by activated sludge process. The EDTA removal efficiency was 80% under the circumstance HRT 16 h and EDTA removal efficiency reached to 92.5%-95.1% when HRT was 20 h. The main factor affecting the biodegradability of EDTA is sludge remained time.