A commercially available iron-chelating agent, Desferal, promotes Fe- and Al-mobilization in soils

The effects of deferoxamine mesylate (DFAM), a bacterial siderophore, on the availability of iron and aluminium in three different soils were investigated. The distinct ability of DFAM to mobilize both metals in soil solution indicate a possible importance of siderophores in connection with toxicological aspects as well as for weathering and soil forming processes.