Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) vapors by cometabolism with gaseous hexane (n-hexane > 95%) was investigated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizing short chain aliphatic hydrocarbon (C(5)-C(8)). Kinetic batch experiments showed that MTBE was degraded even when hexane was completely exhausted with a cometabolic coefficient of 1.06 ± 0.16 mg MTBE mg hexane(-1). Intermediate tert-...

Two pure bacterial strains capable of rapid degrading methyl tert–butyl ether (MTBE) were isolated from an industrial wastewater treatment plant, identified and characterized. These strains are able to grow on MTBE as the sole carbon and energy sources and completely mineralize it to the biomass and carbon dioxide. The strains were identified as Bacillus cereus and Klebsiella terrigena. Bot...

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a ground water contaminant with plausible carcinogenic properties. Mycobacterium sp. strain ENV421 cometabolically degrades MTBE and other ethers during the growth on propane as a carbon source. In this study, the 6.2 Mb genome of strain ENV421 was deciphered. The genome sequence revealed the presence of numerous putative propane catabolic genes including genes...

background: methyl tert -butyl ether (mtbe) has been commercially used as an octane enhancer to replace tetraethyl lead in gasoline since 1979. the high mobility, water solubility, and resistance to natural attenuation associated with mtbe may re­sult in contamination of ground and surface waters. in this investigation the degradation of aqueous mtbe at relatively high concentrations was studie...

two pure bacterial strains capable of rapid degrading methyl tert–butyl ether (mtbe) were isolated from an industrial wastewater treatment plant, identified and characterized. these strains are able to grow on mtbe as the sole carbon and energy sources and completely mineralize it to the biomass and carbon dioxide. the strains were identified as bacillus cereus and klebsiella terrigena. both st...

Although the biokinetics, metabolism, and chemical toxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether are well known, little attention was paid to the potential toxic effects of MTBE on reproduction and development in mammals. To evaluate the effects of MTBE on pregnant animals, two groups (control and test) of NMRI mice were chosen. In test group 500 and 1000 mg/Kg of it were administered intraperitonealy at...

In this work, the interactions of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) on different dealuminated high silica zeolites were studied by means of both experimental and computational approaches. Zeolites with different textural and surface features were selected as adsorbents and the effect of their physico-chemical properties (i.e. pore size architecture and type and amount of surface OH sites) on sorpt...

This paper examines the potential for phytoremediation of MTBE, a gasoline additive that has become a prevalent and persistent groundwater pollutant, due to its' non-sorbing and non-reactive nature in water. A novel experimental design is developed to measure plant uptake and transpiration of MTBE from hydroponic systems, separating these processes from passive volatilization of the chemical. P...

Concerns for atmospheric pollution from auto exhaust have led to the blending of "oxygenates" with motor fuels. The most common oxygenate, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is currently required within several metropolitan areas (Denver and Phoenix) in the range of 12% of the motor fuel. Amendments to the Clean Air Act may expand this requirement to as many as 44 other areas of the United States i...