Question

Why detergents are non biodegradable but soaps are biodegradable

Answer 1

soaps are formed by the reaction of alkaline (lye) and fats and oils. Fats and oils can easily be broken down into simple molecules by microbes and hence soaps are biodegradable.

Detergents are synthetic compounds, generally ammonium or sulfate salts of long chain carboxylic acids. These synthetic compounds can not be broken down into simple molecules by microbes and hence soaps are non biodegradable.

Answer 2

Answer:

Detergents are non - biodegradable because they are synthetic compounds. It cannot be broken down into simple molecules by microbes.

Soaps are biodegradable because they can break down into water, carbon dioxide, and biological compounds.

Explanation:

Detergents are synthetic compounds. it contains ammonium or sulfate salts of long-chain carboxylic acids, therefore it cannot be broken down into simple molecules by microbes. So that detergents are non-biodegradable.

Soaps are made up of natural fats or oils and alkali solutions. It can be easily broken down into simple molecules by microbes. Therefore soaps are biodegradable.