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Occurrence and Fate of MTBE in the Aquatic Environment Over the Last Decade

  • Chapter
Fuel Oxygenates

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC5))

Abstract

In the last decade, it became increasingly evident that the fuel oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is nearly ubiquitous in the worldwide environment. The detection frequency of MTBE rivals other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have been produced and used for a much longer period of time. Its mere presence in water bodies used as drinking water reservoirs (rivers, lakes, or groundwater tables) has aroused concern about its potential sources, persistence, or possible adverse effects (aesthetic or toxic implications) for end-users and aquatic life. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an updated overview of the current environmental concentrations, the occurrence of the pollutant in the different aquatic compartments, the relevance of diffuse and point sources, and the different alternatives for remediation of MTBE contaminated sites.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

    Sílvia Lacorte

Authors
  1. Mònica Rosell
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  2. Sílvia Lacorte
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  3. Damià Barceló
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, JordiGirona, 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

    Damià Barceló

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Rosell, M., Lacorte, S., Barceló, D. (2007). Occurrence and Fate of MTBE in the Aquatic Environment Over the Last Decade. In: Barceló, D. (eds) Fuel Oxygenates. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72641-8_2

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