The fate of MTBE and BTEX in constructed wetlandsThe fate of MTBE and BTEX in constructed wetlands
Ανασκόπηση
Review
2021-09-292020enHydrocarbon contamination of water resources is a global issue. These compounds are generated and discharged into the environment in industrial areas from chemical and petrochemical plants, oil refineries, power plants, and so forth. Fuel hydrocarbons, namely, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), are commonly found in groundwater, posing environmental and health risks to humans and ecosystems. Nature-based technologies represent an alternative solution, providing high efficiency, an environmentally friendly character, simple operation, and cost efficiency, which are characteristics particularly desired by the international petroleum industry. This article discusses the use of the green technology of constructed wetlands to remediate water polluted with hydrocarbons. Although the number of related international experiences and studies is limited, the article presents the latest developments of wetland technology for the removal of MTBE and benzene-BTEX. The discussion includes the overall efficiency of the different wetland types that have been tested and used, the main transformation and removal processes that regulate the fate of BTEX and MTBE in constructed wetlands, and the potential for future investigations. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Applied Sciences101Stefanakis_Appl. Sci._10(1)_2020.pdfChania [Greece]Library of TUC2021-09-28application/pdf246.1 kBfree
Stefanakis Alexandros
Στεφανακης Αλεξανδρος
MDPI
Constructed wetlands
BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes)
Benzene
MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether)
Industrial wastewater
Petroleum industry
Hydrocarbons
Nature-based solutions