Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Environmental Engineering and Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Kevin Finneran
Committee Member
Dr. Ron Falta
Committee Member
Dr. Sudeep Popat
Abstract
BTEX compounds—benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes—are toxic, volatile, aromatic hydrocarbons. They are primarily found in petroleum products and can easily enter the environment. Typical remediation techniques include sorption to activated carbon, pump and treat, and bioremediation. Research suggests that combining sorption to activated carbon and bioremediation may enhance BTEX removal. This study evaluates the impact of granular activated carbon (GAC) on the biodegradation of ethylbenzene and toluene, using an enrichment culture of aerobic bacteria.
The main objectives of this study are to grow and maintain a culture that degrades BTEX compounds, evaluate the effect of activated carbon on the biodegradation of ethylbenzene, assess the impact of different GAC mass loading on the biodegradation of ethylbenzene and toluene, and assess if both sorption and biodegradation can occur simultaneously. First-order degradation kinetics were observed in most treatment groups, with the highest magnitude degradation constants occurring in groups with both cells and GAC. Degradation constants tended to increase with GAC mass loading, suggesting that GAC enhances removal via both sorption and biodegradation. Thermal desorption experiment results illustrated lower than expected ethylbenzene/toluene recovery, indicating both sorption and biodegradation did occur.
These results support the conclusion that activated carbon not only adsorbs BTEX compounds but also facilitates biodegradation. Future work could explore microbial colonization on GAC and optimize conditions to further enhance simultaneous sorption and biodegradation.
Recommended Citation
Barkley, Megan, "Evaluating the Impact of Activated Carbon on the Biodegradation of BTEX Compounds" (2025). All Theses. 4652.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4652