Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to assess the influence of ethanol on the evaporation profile of xylenes (ortho + meta and para isomers) in active (with microorganisms) and inert (without microorganisms) soils. The vapors from four sealed flasks containing inert soil + neat xylenes, active soil + neat xylenes, inert soil + xylenes + ethanol and active soil + xylenes + ethanol were monitored during 20 days by Gas Chromatography using a Flame Ionization Detector (GC/FID). No statistical differences were observed comparing the concentrations of the meta and para isomers in all samples. The differences among the average concentrations of meta, para and ortho isomers were relevant only in the active soil samples without ethanol (95% confidence interval). Ethanol may enhance the ortho isomer volatilization and delay the degradations of meta and para isomers.
Highlights
After the first oil crisis in the 1970 s, with the increasing pollution levels and the need for clean energy production, several nations around the world developed programs to support the use of alternative fuels, including ethanol and gasohol, as automobile fuels
Despite the benefits provided by the mixture, the presence of ethanol in gasoline may affect the BTEX volatilization and these compounds may evaporate from spills of underground storage tanks or by accidental releases (Fedrizzi et al, 2013)
Despite the recent study published by Chemlal et al (2012), there is a lack of studies evaluating the degradation/volatilization of xylenes isomers in natural soil and in presence of ethanol
Summary
After the first oil crisis in the 1970 s, with the increasing pollution levels and the need for clean energy production, several nations around the world developed programs to support the use of alternative fuels, including ethanol and gasohol (a gasoline-ethanol blend), as automobile fuels. The main advantages of the ethanol-blend fuels are the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the higher octane number of gasoline (Fedrizzi et al, 2013). Despite the benefits provided by the mixture, the presence of ethanol in gasoline may affect the BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) volatilization and these compounds may evaporate from spills of underground storage tanks or by accidental releases (Fedrizzi et al, 2013). In the case of soil contamination, remediation procedures are required, such as stabilization, containment or decontamination (Balseiro-Romero and Monteroso, 2012). Despite the recent study published by Chemlal et al (2012), there is a lack of studies evaluating the degradation/volatilization of xylenes isomers in natural soil (without introduction of exogenous cultures) and in presence of ethanol
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