• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.43-50
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• 2010

In this study, we have isolated MTBE utilizing bacteria at the gasoline contaminated soil and also MTBE degradation patterns were characterized. The 18 bacterial mono-cultures isolated from enrichment cultures were screened for MTBE degradation. Of the 18 strains, the 3 strains (Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Achromobacter) have shown effective MTBE degradation. Experimental parameters affecting the growth conditions (such as temperature, pH, initial cell mass) were optimized. Experimental parameters such as temperature $30^{\circ}C$, pH 7, and initial cell mass 0.6 g/mL in optimal growth conditions for MTBE degradation. The optimal growth conditions of the isolated stains were temperature $30^{\circ}C$, pH 7, and initial cell mass 0.6 g/mL in our experiment, respectively. The first order degradation coefficients of Achromobacter, Mixed culture, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium were 0.072, 0.066, 0.047, and $0.032hr^{-1}$, respectively. and also, it could be expressed as a degradation rate considering cell mass (1.302, 1.019, 0.523, and 0.352 mg/TSS g/hr for each microorganism). Although Achromobacter has shown highest MTBE degradation rate, degradation rate for BTEX was relatively lower than other strains. and Mixed culture and Flavobacterium have shown similar degradation pattern for MTBE and BTEX biodegradation.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Cometabolic air sparging (CAS) is a new and innovative technology that uses air sparging principles but attempts to optimize in situ contaminant degradation by adding a growth substrate to saturated zone. CAS relies on the degradation of the primary growth substrate and cometabolic substrate transformation in the saturated zone and in the vadose zone for volatilized contaminants. In this study, we have investigated to determine MTBE degradation pattern and microbial activity variation if using propane as a primary substrate at the condition of considering air injection rate and air injection pattern. Laboratory-scale two-dimentional aquifer physical model studies were used and the experimental results were represented that the optimal conditions were as air injection rate of 1,000 mL/min and pulsed air injection pattern (15 min on/off). Over 1,000 mL/min air injection rate and continuous air injection pattern was no affected to increase DO concentration. On the other hand, Injection of propane and propane-utilizing bacteria degraded MTBE partially. And also, injection of propane- and MTBE-utilizing bacteria effectively degraded MTBE and TBA production was observed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.136-139
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• 2001

In this study, we have examined potential degradation of MTBE (methy1 tert-butyl ether) by pure culture ENV425 and mixed culture isolated from gasoline contaminated soil using n-butane as the sources of carbon and energy. The results described in this study suggest that MTBE is degraded cometabolically by ENV425 and mixed culture grown n-butane, and the disappearance of TBA after complete degradation of MTBE suggest the further degradation of TBA. Butane and MTBE degradation was completely inhibited by acetylene, which indicated that both substrates were degraded by butane-utilizing bacteria. MTBE was degraded ENV425 and mixed culture grown n-butane, and TBA (tert-butyl alcohol) was produced as product of MTBE oxidation. TBA production was accounted 54.7% and 58.6% for MTBE oxidation by ENV425 and mixed culture, respectively. The observed maximal transformation yield (T$_{y}$) were 44.7 and 34.0 (nmol MTRE degraded/$\mu$mol n-butane Utilized) by ENV425 and mixed culture, respectively.y.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.181-181
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• 2005

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.31-41
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• 2001

In this study, we have examined the potential degradation of MTBE(methyl tert-butyl ether) by pure culture ENV425 and mixed culture obtained from gasoline contaminated soil using n-butane as the sources of carbon and energy. The results described in this study suggest that MTBE is degraded cometabolically by ENV425 and mixed culture grown on n-butane. Butane and MTBE degradation was completely inhibited by acetylene, which indicated that both substrates were degraded by butane monooxygenase. These cultures grown on n-butane generated TBA (tert-butyl alcohol) as a metabolite of MTBE oxidation. TBA Production was accounted 54.7% and 58.6% for MTBE oxidation by ENV425 and mixed culture, respectively. In resting cell experiments, however, TBA and TBF were detected as the oxidation products of MTBE by ENV425 and mixed culture. The observed maximal MTBE degradation rates were 52.3 and 62.3 (nmol MTBE degraded/hr/mg TSS) by ENV425 and mixed culture, respectively, and the observed maximal transformation yields ($T_y$) were 44.7 and 34.0 (nmol MTBE degraded/$\mu$mol n-butane utilized), and the observed maximal transformation capacities ($T_c$) were 199 and 226 ($\mu$mol MTBE degraded/mg TSS used).