Microbial degradation of benzene and toluene in groundwater

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01701927· OSTI ID:6534777

Karlson, U; Frankenberger, Jr, W T ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Riverside (USA)

Certain organic pollutants reaching the groundwater are subject to biotransformations. Currently, remedial measures promoting microbial degradation of pollutants are becoming very attractive because of their cost-effectiveness in removal of the contaminants. Current technology for reclaiming groundwater polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons involves (i) pumping the water into an aerated stripping tower, (ii) removal by sorbents, or (iii) biodegradation in situ or pumped into a bioreactor. Among the bioreactors, fixed film and suspended growth reactors are the most popular systems. Gasoline contamination of groundwaters is becoming an alarming and widespread problem. A major concern with petroleum contamination is the benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) content reaching the groundwater because of their solubility and high toxicity. The state of California Department of Health Services now recommends that remedial action be taken when the concentration of benzene and toluene exceeds 0.7 and 100 {mu}g L{sup {minus}1}, respectively. The purpose of this study was to assess biodegradation of benzene and toluene in groundwater upon amendment with nutrients and an enriched hydrocarbon oxidizing culture.

• OSTI ID: 6534777
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA) Vol. 43:4; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DECOMPOSITION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FUELS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GASOLINE
GROUND WATER
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
MICROORGANISMS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TOLUENE
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WATER