In-situ bioremediation of MTBE-contaminated groundwater using biobarriers
A study to understand the kinetics and microbiology fundamentals for Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) biodegradation from which laboratory and field scale treatment systems may be designed. MTBE is most commonly used oxygenate, and it is estimated that the there might be as many as 350,000 leaking underground storage tanks in the U.S.MTBE, if accidentally released, is relatively persistent in the environment. A new approach of treating contaminated groundwater, in-situ trickling filter, was developed and tested in laboratory settings. The groundwater near the surface where contamination takes place is extracted and reinfilterd via a trench packed with porous material and MTBE degrading organisms. The system allows for a good control of operating conditions, which are essential for MTBE biodegradation. It has been found that the in-situ trickling filter could reduce the concentration of MTBE in water from 5 ppm down to <10 ppb.
