Anaerobic Biodegradation of Known and Potential Gasoline Oxygenates in the Terrestrial Subsurface

Author

Joseph M. Suflita
Melanie R. Mormile, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

The octane enhancer tetraethyllead has been largely phased out of automobile fuels due to environmental and health concerns, and recent U.S. legislation mandates the reformulation of gasoline to increase its oxygen content. Oxygenates such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethanol, methanol, and tert-butyl alcohol provide both octane enhancement and oxygen content to gasolines. The use of such additives is believed to be environmentally acceptable since oxygenated fuels reduce the impact of hydrocarbon combustion on the atmosphere.

Recommended Citation

J. M. Suflita and M. R. Mormile, "Anaerobic Biodegradation of Known and Potential Gasoline Oxygenates in the Terrestrial Subsurface," Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 976 - 978, American Chemical Society (ACS), May 1993.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1021/es00042a022

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Keywords and Phrases

Ester; Ether; Gasoline; Ketone; Methane; Anaerobic Metabolism; Aquifer; Biodegradation; Landfill; Leaching

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0013-936X; 1520-5851

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1993 American Chemical Society (ACS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 1993