Research Article

Biodegradation of waste streams containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX): Practical implications and brief perspectives

Srishti Singh*

Published: 06/12/2019 | Volume 3 - Issue 1 | Pages: 007-010

Introduction

Benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E) and xylene (X), collectively named as BTEX are mono-aromatic ring compounds with a 6-carbon benzene ring. Due to the presence of the aromatic ring, these compounds, especially benzene, are generally considered to be non-reactive species [1]. However, they are known to undergo hydrogenation and certain substitution reaction depending on the prevailing environmental conditions. Their solubility in water is usually low (i.e. relatively hydrophobic in nature) due to the low octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) values which favour hydrophilic dissolution [2]. BTEX compounds are relatively insoluble in water and in some situations, their levels have been recorded at up to 1000 mg/L, which is much higher than the allowed maximum contaminant level of 0.005 mg/L for B, 1 mg/L for T, 0.7 mg/L for E, and a total of 10 mg/L for all three forms of X [3]. They are released into the natural environment (air, water, soil and sediments) due to landfill leaching, underground storage tanks, accidents during oil transportation and pipeline leakage from petroleum and chemical industries [4].

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