SBIR Phase I: Biodegration of the Gasoline Oxygenate Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)

该小型企业创新研究一期项目涉及能够降解汽油含氧甲基叔丁基醚（MTBE）的微生物的特性，以及MTBE污染土壤和含水层的原位生物修复工艺的开发。自1979年以来，MTBE一直被用作高辛烷值添加剂，以减少以前在汽油中使用的更有毒的芳香添加剂。1995年，美国生产了近180亿磅的MTBE，占消费者使用的重新配方汽油的11%。它的广泛使用导致了它的意外排放和随后的含水层和土壤污染。美国地质调查局估计，MTBE是城市地下水中第二大常见的水污染物。很少有研究评价甲基叔丁基醚的生物降解和命运。该研究项目将研究MTBE降解丙烷氧化菌株M. vaccae JOB5和该公司最近分离的三株MTBE降解菌株对MTBE的降解。该研究将确定降解的速率和机制，并系统地描述使用模型含水层进行原位生物刺激所需的条件。据估计，如果我们必须依靠现有技术，修复泄漏的地下储罐的费用将超过18亿美元。在这个项目中开发的原位技术将被纳入公司现有的修复技术，以开发一种经济上可行的降解MTBE的系统。这项技术将广泛应用于政府和私人网站。＊＊＊

*** 9661329 Shannon This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project involves the characterization of microorganisms capable of degrading the gasoline oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and development of an in situ bioremediation process for treatment of MTBE-contaminated soils and aquifers. MTBE has been used since 1979 as a high-octane additive to reduce the more toxic aromatic additives that have previously been used in gasoline. Almost 18 billion pounds of MTBE were produced in the U. S. in 1995, and it accounts for up to 11% of the reformulated gasoline used by consumers. Its widespread use has resulted in its accidental discharge and the subsequent contamination of aquifers and soils. The U. S. Geological Survey has estimated that MTBE is the second most common water pollutant in urban ground waters. Few studies have been done to evaluate the biodegradation and fate of MTBE. This research project will investigate MTBE degradation by an MTBE-degrading propane-oxidizing bacterial strain M. vaccae JOB5 and three MTBE-degrading strains recently isolated by the firm. The study will determine rates and mechanisms of degradation, and systematically characterize the conditions needed for in situ biostimulation using model aquifers. The cost of remediating leaking underground storage tanks has been estimated to be greater than $1.8 billion if we must rely on current technologies. The in situ technology developed during this project will be incorporated into the firm's existing remediation technologies to develop an economically feasible system for degrading MTBE. The technology will be widely applicable at both government and private sites. ***