Abstract: Disclosed is a method for monitoring the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether in a contaminated media which contains methyl tert-butyl ether and/or which is treated under conditions which cause the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether into 2-hydroxy isobutyric acid comprising: (A) evaluating the treated contaminated media to determine the absence or presence therein of 2-hydroxy isobutyric acid; (B) based on such evaluation, determining whether the conditions should be modified; and (C) modifying such conditions as may be necessary. Disclosed also is a method for degrading an ether comprising contacting the ether with a microorganism that is effective in oxidizing propane or isopropanol and 2-hydroxy-isobutyric acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for degrading an undesirable ether-based environmental contaminant by contacting the ether with a propane-oxidizing microorganism or with an isopropanol-oxidizing microorganism to convert the ether to innocuous compounds which are environmentally acceptable, including treating the ether-based contaminants in situ or removing them from the contaminated site for treatment in a bioreactor. Examples of ether-based compounds which can be degraded are tertiary butyl ethers of the type utilized as gasoline oxygenates, for example, methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, and methyl tert-amyl ether and also ether solvents, for example, tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention feature the use of and electric current to induce movement of bacteria in situ to degrade contaminants in aquifers.