Methyl tert-butyl ether a volatile synthetic compound has been the most frequently used fuel oxygenate which when used with gasoline increases octane and reduces combustion emissions. As it is a frequent water contaminant that is difficult to remove by most physical methods a treatment of fuel contaminated water is required. Rutgers scientists have discovered a novel method for the anaerobic degradation of MTBE and other relevant fuel related oxygenates such as TAME DIPE ETBE TBA and isopropyl ether. Naturally occurring plant phenolic compounds such as syringic acid vanillic acid and guaiacol when added as co-substrates have been shown to enhance the degradation of oxygenates under anaerobic conditions. Under appropriate concentrations of the acids in combination with indigenous MTBE degrading bacteria enhanced degradation rates are observed.
Enchanced degradation rate.