This study first evaluated the adsorption of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene andXylene) in several Taiwan soils and the effects of temperature, moisture, organic matter content and sterilization on adsorption. Then we investigated the biodegradation of BTEX b microorganisms of three sources. The results of BTEX adsorption experiments showed that the soils with higher organic matter and clay contents adsorbed more BTEX. Because the evaporation improved under higher temperature, so the decreased with increasing temperature. The order of BTEX adsorption under three soil water contents was: field capacity >60% of field capacity >140% of field capacity. This was caused by the higher water content in field capacity condition to retard the evaporation of BTEX. However, if the water content is too high, the competition of the adsorption sites of water with BTEX reduced the adsorption capacity. The application of organic matter indicated that higher organic matter content made soils adsorb more BTEX. Finally, we found that the inoculation of soil microbial extract favored BTEX decomposition, and the fermented extract had higher efficiency than the unfermented.
This study first evaluated the adsorption of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene andXylene) in several Taiwan soils and the effects of temperature, moisture, organic matter content and sterilization on adsorption. Then we investigated the biodegradation of BTEX b microorganisms of three sources. The results of BTEX adsorption experiments showed that the soils with higher organic matter and clay contents adsorbed more BTEX. Because the evaporation improved under higher temperature, so the decreased with increasing temperature. The order of BTEX adsorption under three soil water contents was: field capacity >60% of field capacity >140% of field capacity. This was caused by the higher water content in field capacity condition to retard the evaporation of BTEX. However, if the water content is too high, the competition of the adsorption sites of water with BTEX reduced the adsorption capacity. The application of organic matter indicated that higher organic matter content made soils adsorb more BTEX. Finally, we found that the inoculation of soil microbial extract favored BTEX decomposition, and the fermented extract had higher efficiency than the unfermented.