Aerobic Cometabolism of Methyl tert-butyl Ether by Microorganisms Grown on Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Goal
To advance the use of cometabolic bioremediation for the removal of MTBE from contaminated groundwaters.
Rationale
MTBE has been found to be a wide contaminant in groundwater as a result of gasoline spills and leaking underground storage
tanks. Remediation technologies are desperately needed by regulatory personnel to facilitate the cleanup of contaminated groundwater at
reasonable costs. Unfortunately, both conventional pump-and-treat technologies and soil vapor extraction lack effectiveness for removal of
MTBE. While unproven, bioremediation by cometabolic organisms appears to be a promising technology to achieve removal of MTBE.
Approach
The approach will include:
- Measurement of biodegradation rates of MTBE for aquifer materials stimulated by either propane and isopentane in batch microcosms
- Measurement of relative in-situ biodegradation rats of pure-cultures of MTBE degrading fungus (Graphium sp.) and a MTBE degrading bacteria (Mycobacterium vaccae) in aquifer material
- Determination of the removal of MTBE in laboratory columns for aquifer materials with and without bioaugmentation with Graphium or M. vaccae.
- All experiment will include mass balances of MTBE, the primary substrate (propane or isopentane), cell protein, and dissolved oxygen.
Status
Work has just been initiated on the microcosms using propane and isopentane. Analytical measurements have been established for all
the chemical species to be measured. Pure cultures of Graphium and M. vaccae have been established and are routinely cultured.
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Last modified on: March 16, 2000.
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