Flow field dynamics and high ethanol content in gasohol blends enhance BTEX migration and biodegradation in groundwater

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
Fabrizio RamaKonrad Miotliński

Abstract

Gasohol spills may easily descend through the soil column down and impact sensitive receptors as contaminants dissolve into the groundwater. Gasoline formulations are commonly blended with ethanol to alleviate environmental and economic issues associated with fossil fuels. However, the amount of ethanol added to gasoline and the groundwater hydraulic regime can significantly affect BTEX plume dynamics and lifespan. In this study, two long-term (5 and 10 years) field-scale gasohol releases with ethanol contents of 85% (E85) and 24% (E24), respectively, were assessed to discern the different dynamics undergone by gasohol blends. Statistical, geochemical, microbiological and trend approaches were employed to estimate the influence of groundwater flow variations on ethanol and dissolved BTEX transport, and the associated biodegradation rates of different gasohol blend spills. Ethanol and BTEX groundwater flow were quantified in terms of breakthrough curve characteristics, plume centroid positions and spreading, source depletion and mass degradation rates. In addition, bromide migration was evaluated to address the contribution of flow-driven dissolution. Results revealed that the high amount of ethanol along with a fast and dynamic...Continue Reading

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