Long term studies on the anaerobic biodegradability of MTBE and other gasoline ethers

Journal of Hazardous Materials
Christopher WaulJens Ejbye Schmidt

Abstract

Anaerobic biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) using electron acceptors such as nitrate, Fe(III), sulfate and bicarbonate, may be more cost effective and feasible compared to aerobic treatment methods, for dealing with the MTBE problem. Currently, there are a few reports in the literature which have documented anaerobic biodegradation of MTBE in batch studies. However, some of the reports have been controversial, additionally many other studies have failed to document anaerobic biodegradation. Experiments were conducted over a long term period in both batch and continuous reactors to investigate the anaerobic biodegradability of MTBE and other gasoline ethers. Inoculums collected from various environments were used, along with different electron acceptors. Only one set of the batch experiments showed a 30-60% conversion of MTBE to tert-butyl alcohol under Fe(III)-reducing conditions, using complexed Fe(III). The use of complexed Fe(III) created an initial low pH of 1-2 in these batches due to its acidic nature, therefore, the removal may be due to acid hydrolysis rather than biological processes. Based on the findings obtained, caution should be applied in the interpretation of experimental data in which complexed F...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 4, 2014·The Science of the Total Environment·Irina LevchukMika Sillanpää
Nov 3, 2012·Current Opinion in Biotechnology·Michael Hyman
Feb 27, 2018·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Marcelle J van der WaalsJan Gerritse
Mar 8, 2020·Journal of Hazardous Materials·S F ThorntonM J Spence

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