Aerobic Biodegradation of MTBE in Uncontaminated and Gasoline-Contaminated Aquifer Sediments

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dc.contributor.authorZoeckler, Jeff Radcliffeen
dc.contributor.committeecochairWiddowson, Mark A.en
dc.contributor.committeecochairNovak, John T.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLove, Nancy G.en
dc.contributor.departmentEnvironmental Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:41:05Zen
dc.date.adate1999-07-30en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:41:05Zen
dc.date.issued1999-07-12en
dc.date.rdate2000-07-30en
dc.date.sdate1999-07-21en
dc.description.abstractIn this study, the biodegradation potential of MTBE in uncontaminated and previously contaminated aquifer sediments under aerobic conditions was investigated. Laboratory microcosms were constructed using aquifer samples collected from three different areas of a shallow gasoline-contaminated aquifer in eastern Fairfax Co., Va in the Atlantic Coastal Plain province. Uncontaminated aquifer samples were collected upgradient of the plume, and contaminated aquifer samples were collected in the source area and in an area downgradient of the source. Biodegradation of MTBE was observed in microcosms that contained previously contaminated aquifer sediments. More complete degradation was observed in aquifer sediments containing a low level of petroleum contamination than in heavily contaminated aquifer sediments. Biodegradation of MTBE appeared to be limited by a lack of oxygen in heavily contaminated soils. When degradation was discernible it appeared to follow a first order pattern with a rate constant (l) of between 0.037 and 0.066 d-1, following a lag period of 20 to 40 days. In microcosms containing lightly contaminated aquifer material, MTBE was respiked during active metabolism, and degradation occurred with no lag or acclimation period. Results indicated that little or no degradation occurred in the microcosms containing uncontaminated soil. The results of this research suggest that the availability and level of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds influence indigenous microorganisms capable of degrading MTBE.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-072199-094735en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-072199-094735/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/43865en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartFINAL.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectbiodegradationen
dc.subjectMTBEen
dc.subjectpetroleum hydrocarbon compoundsen
dc.subjectacclimationen
dc.subjectconcentrationen
dc.subjectindigenous microorganismsen
dc.subjectmicrocosmen
dc.titleAerobic Biodegradation of MTBE in Uncontaminated and Gasoline-Contaminated Aquifer Sedimentsen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineEnvironmental Planningen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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