In situ bioremediation of MTBE: Lessons from laboratory experiments

Both microcosms and columns experiments were carried out to study the behavior of MTBE degrading consortium in laboratory and in soil-groundwater systems, and field bioremediation strategies were proposed. The MTBE degradation in microcosm was tested under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with an initial MTBE concentration of 25 mg/L. MTBE degradation was only observed in those microcosms operated under aerobic condition and inoculated with the MTBE degrading consortium. No MTBE degradation occurred in the microcosms with indigenous soil microbial population or those incubated under anaerobic conditions.

Duke Scholars

Author Marc Deshusses Civil and Environmental Engineering