Aerobic mineralization of MTBE and tert-butyl alcohol by stream-bed sediment microorganisms
Environmental Science & Technology
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Microorganisms indigenous to the stream-bed sediments at two gasoline- contaminated groundwater sites demonstrated significant mineralization of the fuel oxygenates, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). Up to 73% of [U-14C]-MTBE and 84% of [U-14C]-TBA were degraded to 14CO2 under mixed aerobic/anaerobic conditions. No significant mineralization was observed under strictly anaerobic conditions. The results indicate that, under the mixed aerobic/anaerobic conditions characteristic of stream-bed sediments, microbial processes may provide a significant environmental sink for MTBE and TBA delivered to surface water bodies by contaminated groundwater or by other sources.Microorganisms indigenous to the stream-bed sediments at two gasoline-contaminated groundwater sites demonstrated significant mineralization of the fuel oxygenates, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). Up to 73% of [U-14C]-MTBE and 84% of [U-14C]-TBA were degraded to 14CO2 under mixed aerobic/anaerobic conditions. No significant mineralization was observed under strictly anaerobic conditions. The results indicate that, under the mixed aerobic/anaerobic conditions characteristic of stream-bed sediments, microbial processes may provide a significant environmental sink for MTBE and TBA delivered to surface water bodies by contaminated groundwater or by other sources.
Suggested Citation
Bradley, P., Landmeyer, J., and Chapelle, F.H., 1999, Aerobic mineralization of MTBE and tert-butyl alcohol by stream-bed sediment microorganisms: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 33, no. 11, p. 1877-1879, https://doi.org/10.1021/es990062t.
ISSN: 1520-5851 (online)
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Aerobic mineralization of MTBE and tert-butyl alcohol by stream-bed sediment microorganisms |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/es990062t |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 11 |
| Publication Date | April 21, 1999 |
| Year Published | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS |
| Contributing office(s) | Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 3 p. |
| First page | 1877 |
| Last page | 1879 |