Odour and flavour thresholds of gasoline additives (MTBE, ETBE and TAME) and their occurrence in Dutch drinking water collection areas

van Wezel, A; Puijker, L; Vink, C; Versteegh, A; de Voogt, P

HERO ID

1248034

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2009

Language

English

PMID

19477481

HERO ID 1248034
In Press No
Year 2009
Title Odour and flavour thresholds of gasoline additives (MTBE, ETBE and TAME) and their occurrence in Dutch drinking water collection areas
Authors van Wezel, A; Puijker, L; Vink, C; Versteegh, A; de Voogt, P
Journal Chemosphere
Volume 76
Issue 5
Page Numbers 672-676
Abstract The use of ETBE (ethyl-tert-butylether) as gasoline additive has recently grown rapidly. Contamination of aquatic systems is well documented for MTBE (methyl-tert-butylether), but less for other gasoline additives. Due to their mobility they may easily reach drinking water collection areas. Odour and flavour thresholds of MTBE are known to be low, but for ETBE and TAME (methyl-tert-amylether) hardly information is available. The objective here is to determine these thresholds for MTBE, ETBE and TAME, and relate these to concentrations monitored in thousands of samples from Dutch drinking water collection areas. For ETBE odour and flavour thresholds are low with 1-2microgL(-1), for MTBE and TAME they range from 7 to 16microg L(-1). In most groundwater collection areas MTBE concentrations are below 0.1microg L(-1). In phreatic groundwaters in sandy soils not covered by a protective soil layer, occasionally MTBE occurs at higher concentrations. For surface water collection areas a minority of the locations is free of MTBE. For river bank and dune infiltrates, at a few locations the odour and flavour threshold is exceeded. For ETBE fewer monitoring data are available. ETBE was found in 2 out of 37 groundwater collection areas, in concentrations below 1microgL(-1). In the surface water collection areas monitored ETBE was found in concentrations near to the odour and flavour thresholds. The low odour and flavour thresholds combined with the high mobility and persistence of these compounds, their high production volumes and their increased use may yield problems with future production of drinking water.
Doi 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.03.073
Pmid 19477481
Wosid WOS:000268197400014
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Gasoline; MTBE; Drinking water; Odor thresholds; Odors; Flavor thresholds; Additives; (May 31; 2009)