Output details

Assessment of MTBE biodegradation in contaminated groundwater using 13C and 14C analysis: Field and laboratory microcosm studies

This is the first paper to prove that aerobic biodegradation of MTBE, an important and widespread organic contaminant (fuel additive) in groundwater, can occur in chalk aquifers at field scale. The effect of in-situ oxygen availability is shown to be important, a hitherto unknown limitation of commonly used analytical techniques. The study identified the critical role of the plume fringe as a key zone for MTBE biodegradation in aquifers, previously not considered. The study led to further industry funding at Sheffield from CONCAWE, the European organisation of petroleum fuel retailers, to investigate the environmental fate of similar chemicals in groundwater.