On-Demand Webinars

MTBE and TBA: Part 2:
Update and Review of These Two Gasoline Additive Co-Contaminants

Although no longer used in the United States, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), remains an important groundwater contaminant at many gasoline-impacted sites. MTBE is the most prominent example of a group of alkyl ethers used worldwide as oxygenates and octane enhancers for unleaded gasoline. Its primary biodegradation product, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), is also detected in groundwater at sites impacted by MTBE-containing gasoline. Both of these compounds are highly water soluble and mobile and can be problematic compounds to characterize and remediate in groundwater.

Part 2 of this webinar series provides an overview of methodologies to characterize groundwater contamination by MTBE and TBA and the approaches often used to remediate these compounds. Case studies highlight some of the more successful and widely used remediation approaches for these compounds, including monitored natural attenuation, in situ chemical oxidation and both in situ and ex-situ bioremediation processes.

Highlights of Part 2:

• An overview of methods for characterizing groundwater contamination by MTBE and TBA
• An overview of monitored natural attenuation of MTBE and TBA
• A summary of physical and chemical processes for MTBE and TBA remediation
• A description of in-situ bioremediation processes for MTBE and TBA
• A description of ex-situ bioremediation processes for MTBE and TBA

Webinar participants will gain an understanding of:

• Appropriate methods for characterizing groundwater contaminated by MTBE and TBA
• Potential use of monitored natural attenuation for MTBE and TBA remediation
• Physical and chemical remediation approaches for MTBE and TBA
• Relative merits and limitations of in-situ and ex-situ remediation approaches for MTBE and TBA