Biodegradation of MTBE by indigenous aquifer microorganisms under artificial oxic conditions

J. E. Landmeyer; P. M. Bradley

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USGS · 70023480

Biodegradation of MTBE by indigenous aquifer microorganisms under artificial oxic conditions

J. E. Landmeyer·P. M. Bradley

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Abstract

Oxygen in the form of a metal peroxide slurry (MgO2 and water) was added to an anoxic part of a gasoline-contaminated aquifer in South Carolina to test the hypothesis that artificial oxic conditions will lead to MTBE biodegradation by indigenous microorganisms in anoxic, gasoline-contaminated aquifers. The slurry slowly released dissolved oxygen upon hydrolysis with groundwater, and was a proprietary mixture consisting of ??? 25-35 wt % MgO2. Significant natural attenuation of MTBE could occur if the oxygen limitations naturally associated with gasoline releases could be removed, either under natural conditions where discharging anoxic groundwater comes into contact with oxygen, or artificial conditions where oxygen could be added to aquifers containing milligram per liter concentrations of MTBE. This final solution might be an effective strategy for intercepting characteristically long MTBE plumes, particularly at those sites not characterized by groundwater discharge to land surface.

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J. E. Landmeyer, P. M. Bradley. 2001. Biodegradation of MTBE by indigenous aquifer microorganisms under artificial oxic conditions. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70023480

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