TITLE:
Microbial Community from MTBE-Contaminated Soil for Aerobic Biodegradation of MTBE
AUTHORS:
Bahareh Montazeri, Mohammad Hossein Sarrafzadeh
KEYWORDS:
Bioremediation, MTBE Contamination, Groundwater, Cometabolism, Indigenous Microorganisms
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
13,
2016
ABSTRACT: This Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is one of the main additives in gasoline to
increase octane rating and consequently reduce air pollution. The
physico-chemical properties of this substance (high water solubility, low
sorption in soil) result in high mobility and considerable concentrations in
aquifers. In this survey, Isfehan Refinery that was encountered with MTBE
contamination problem was selected as a case study and the MTBE degradation
ability of this contaminated area by its indigenous microorganisms was
investigated. In the first step of this survey, the influence of various
factors on the aerobic degradation of MTBE such as mixed culture type,
incubation time, microbial culture and optimal concentration of MTBE were
investigated in shaking flasks and the most important factors were specified by
means of fractional factorial design 1/2. In the second stage by using optimal
values which obtained from the first stage, the effects of co-substare
parameter and inoculum parameter were assayed by means of response surface
method. The results of the experiments showed that the mixed culture type and
initial concentration of MTBE were the most significant factors. The results of
the experiments showed that the mixed indigenous culture acted better than
activated sludge. The initial concentration of MTBE was also one of the most
significant factors. At the best condition about 31 percent of MTBE was treated
by co-substrating with n-hexane in a ratio of 0.2.