The screening of microorganisms capable of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) biodegradation.

As a result of examinations carried out, 16 strains of microorganisms able to grow on mineral media with methyl tert-butyl ether as the sole source of carbon and energy were isolated. Bacteria prevailed among the isolated microorganisms. The growth of microorganisms under laboratory conditions was long and accompanied by low biomass increase. Under the conditions of the experiment, the isolated microorganisms did not show any quantitatively measurable biodegradability of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) under aerobic conditions. This requires far-reaching caution with respect to trading in MTBE-modified petrols in order to protect the natural environment in Poland against contamination with that hard-to-biodegrade substance.