Georgia Water Science Center

USGS Open-File Report 2006-1338

Description, Properties, and Degradation of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds Detected in Ground Water—A Review of Selected Literature

This report is available online in pdf format (2 MB): USGS OFR 2006-1338 (Opens the PDF file in a new window. )

Stephen J. Lawrence

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1338, 62 pages (Published 2006)

ABSTRACT

This report provides abridged information describing the most salient properties and biodegradation of 27 chlorinated volatile organic compounds detected during ground-water studies in the United States. This information is condensed from an extensive list of reports, papers, and literature published by the U.S. Government, various State governments, and peer-reviewed journals. The list includes literature reviews, compilations, and summaries describing volatile organic compounds in ground water. This report cross-references common names and synonyms associated with volatile organic compounds with the naming conventions supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. In addition, the report describes basic physical characteristics of those compounds such as Henry’s Law constant, water solubility, density, octanol-water partition (log Kow), and organic carbon partition (log Koc) coefficients. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for natural and laboratory biodegradation rates, chemical by-products, and degradation pathways.

CONTENTS

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Conversion Factors

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Available Literature Addressing Volatile Organic Compounds

Naming Conventions and Descriptions of Volatile Organic Compounds in Ground Water

Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds Detected in Ground Water

Sources of Chlorinated Alkanes

Sources of Chlorinated Alkenes and Benzenes

Sources of Gasoline Compounds

BTEX Compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene)

Methyl Tert-butyl Ether

Basic Properties of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds

Degradation of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds in Ground Water

Degradation of the Chlorinated Alkanes

Abiotic Transformation

Aerobic Biodegradation

Anaerobic Biodegradation

Degradation of the Chlorinated Alkenes

Aerobic Biodegradation

Anaerobic Biodegradation

Degradation of the Chlorinated Benzenes

Degradation of the Gasoline Compounds

Aerobic Biodegradation of BTEX Compounds

Anaerobic Biodegradation of BTEX Compounds

Aerobic Biodegradation of Methyl Tert-butyl Ether

Anaerobic Biodegradation of Methyl Tert-butyl Ether

References Cited

Glossary

 

REPORT AVAILABILITY

This report is available online in pdf format (2 MB): USGS OFR 2006-1338 (Opens the PDF file in a new window. )
To view the PDF document, you need the Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer. (A free copy of the Acrobat® Reader may be downloaded from Adobe Systems Incorporated.)

Recent USGS publications for Georgia or Georgia Water-Resources Information

For more information, please contact webmaster-ga@usgs.gov.


Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America home page. FirstGov button U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
Persistent URL: http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/ofr20061338
Page Contact Information: USGS Publishing Network
Page Last Modified: Saturday, 12-Jan-2013 22:16:36 EST