Investigation and Testing of Methods to Measure Changes in Microbial Populations Due to the Use of Oxygenates in Fuels Released to the Subsurface.

Happel, A. ; Legler, T. ; Kane, S.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Oxygenates;    Microorganisms;    Methods investigations;    Methods testing;    Population changes;   

RP-ID  :  DE200515013325

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

Current bioremediation and risk-management practices are being adapted to the increasing possibility of encountering oxygenates (primarily methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE, and ethanol) as co-contaminants at the approximately 400,000 leaking underground fuel tank (LUFT) sites nationwide. However, little is known about the effect of oxygenates on microbial populations and the resulting shifts in the microbial ecology and catabolic diversity that may result from the inclusion of oxygenates in reformulated gasoline. Among the possible effects are enrichment of oxygenate degrading bacteria in relation to BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes)- degrading bacteria, the fortuitous enrichment of bacteria that can degrade both oxygenates and BTEX' compounds, no effect on BTEX-degrading populations, or decreases in populations of certain bacteria as a result of toxicity. This study provided some preliminary information for the development of methods to determine the effect of oxygenates on the microbial community responsible for aerobic BTEX degradation.