Effect of BTEX on Degradation of MTBE and TBA by Mixed Bacterial Consortium
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 128, Issue 9
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) contamination in groundwater often coexists with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) near the source of the plume. Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) is a prevalent intermediate of MTBE degradation. Therefore, there is a significant potential for interference of MTBE and TBA degradation by the presence of BTEX whether treatment is in situ or ex situ. In this study, the effect of BTEX on the degradation of MTBE and TBA was examined using a mixed bacterial culture enriched on MTBE and BTEX. In batch studies, the presence of BTEX did not have a significant effect on MTBE degradation, but did have a slight effect on TBA degradation. Under continuous flow conditions, all compounds degraded simultaneously. Normalizing rates to the MTBE loading to the reactor indicates that BTEX may assist in the development of the biomass for TBA and overall MTBE degradation. Using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, several diverse organisms were identified, two of which showed very high similarity with PM1, a known MTBE degrader.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 128 • Issue 9 • September 2002
Pages: 830 - 835
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 13, 2002
Accepted: Mar 19, 2002
Published online: Aug 15, 2002
Published in print: Sep 2002
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