Surface active metal chelated nutrients for bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and water

A method for enhancing the biodegradation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil or water comprising:

• applying to the soil or water a compound selected from the group consisting of metal chelated macrocyclic amido amines, and mixtures thereof, the compound or mixtures thereof being selected from a compound having the formula:
• ##STR3## wherein R is selected from linear and branched alkanes of from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, linear and branched alkenes having from about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms, T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are independently selected from ethylene, trimethylene, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (NHCH2CH2).sub.x ;
• x is an integer of from 1 to 10;
• MaQb is a metal compound wherein M is a cation selected from Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mn cations;
• Q is an anion selected from nitrate, phosphate;
• and a and b are integers from 1 to 3 necessary to satisfy the valence requirements of M and Q.sub.b ;
• and the compound applied being combined with (a) a phosphorous source in an amount to provide an N:P ratio in the range of 10:1 to 10:5 and (b) a diluent selected from the group consisting of water, low molecular weight hydrocarbons and water-alcohol mixtures.