SBIR Phase II: Field Demonstration of a Novel Biotechnology for In-Situ Bioremediation of Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in Groundwater

本小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目旨在开发地下水中甲基叔丁基醚（MTBE）原位生物修复的新工艺。环境保护署（EPA）认为MTBE是一种潜在的人类致癌物。目前，MTBE在饮用水中的最大污染物水平（MCL）被设定为十亿分之十八。据估计，全国清理MTBE污染的费用为290亿美元，而且还在增长。生物修复对地下水中甲基叔丁基醚的破坏具有很大的前景。目前使用的MTBE生物修复方法的关键问题是：(1)无法建立高密度的MTBE降解细菌，(2)无法保持降解细菌与MTBE之间的接触，以及(3)关键细菌的破坏和损失。第一阶段的前期工作已经成功证明了一种名为生物渗透屏障（BPB）的新技术方法的有效性，该方法使用封装的MTBE降解细菌去除水中的MTBE。第二阶段项目的主要目标是评估BPB现场试验单元的长期性能，以消除Hueneme港海军基地的MTBE，并评估BPB / MicroBeads系统在现场条件下较长时间的成本和性能。这种技术方法的新颖之处在于四个方面：(1)所提出的系统将把高细胞密度的mtbe降解细菌直接输送到污染区；(2)该系统将为细菌创造高度降解和稳定的完美环境；(3)该系统将保护细菌免受环境胁迫；并且，(4)所提出的系统将防止洗出的关键细菌。预期拟议在韦内梅港建立的城市规划试点规模装置将有效地将地下水中的甲基叔丁基醚和其他污染物降解到无法检测的水平。该项目的直接商业应用将是地下水中甲基叔丁基醚的生物修复。然而，这项提议的技术也有望对受其他有毒和污染化学品污染的地点的地下水进行有效、可控和低成本的清理。其他潜在的应用包括工业废水和饮用水的处理。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop a novel process for in-situ bioremediation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in groundwater. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers MTBE a potential human carcinogen. Currently, MTBE's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) in drinking water has been set for 18 parts per billion. It is estimated that the cost of cleaning up MTBE contamination nationwide is $29 billion and growing. Bioremediation holds a great promise for destruction of MTBE in groundwater. The key problems with currently used bioremediation methods for MTBE are (1) the inability to establish high densities of MTBE- degrading bacterial, (2) the inability to maintain contact between the degrading bacteria and MTBE, and (3) the upsets and losses of key bacteria. Prior Phase I work has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a new technical approach called Biological Permeable Barrier (BPB) that uses encapsulated MTBE-degrading bacteria for removal of MTBE in water. The primary objective for the Phase II project is to assess the long-term performance of a BPB field pilot unit to remove MTBE at Port Hueneme Navy site, and to assess the cost and performance of the BPB / MicroBeads system for longer periods of time under field conditions. The novelties of this technical approach are four folds : (1) the proposed system will deliver high cell density of MTBE-degrading bacteria right to the zone of contamination; (2) the proposed system will create the perfect environment for bacteria with a high degree of degradation and stability; (3) the proposed system will protect the bacteria against environmental stresses; and, (4) the proposed system will prevent wash out of key bacteria. It is anticipated that the proposed BPB pilot scale unit at Port Hueneme will effectively degrade MTBE and other contaminants in groundwater to non-detectable levels.The immediate commercial application of this project will be on the bioremediation of MTBE in groundwater. However, the proposed technology holds promise for effective, controlled and cost efficient cleanup of groundwater at sites contaminated with other toxic and polluting chemicals as well. Other potential applications include the treatment of industrial wastewater and drinking water.