Fuel Oxygenates

Fuel oxygenates are chemicals containing oxygen that are added to fuels, especially gasoline, to make them burn more efficiently. Adding oxygenates to gasoline boosts the gasoline's octane level and reduces atmospheric pollution associated with automobile emissions. Examples of fuel oxygenates are:

• methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
  
• tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME)
  
• diisopropyl ether (DIPE)
  
• ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)
  
• tert-amyl alcohol (TAA)
  
• tert-butyl alcohol (TBA)
  
• ethanol

Fuel Oxygenate Related Headlines

• Microorganisms Degrade MTBE Even at Winter Ground-Water Temperatures
• Using Oxygen to Enhance Biodegradation of Contaminants -- Lessons Learned
• Used Motor Oil a Potential Source of MTBE in Ground Water
• The Atmosphere - A Potential Source of MTBE to Ground Water
• Using Oxygen to Clean Up Ground-Water Contamination
• MTBE Can Degrade Naturally Without Oxygen
• MTBE Biodegrades Naturally in Stream Sediments
• Natural Attenuation of MTBE at Laurel Bay, South Carolina

Toxics Program Research on Fuel Oxygenates

• Processes Affecting the Natural Attenuation of Fuels and Fuel Oxygenates in Ground Water - Laurel Bay, South Carolina
• Cold-Temperature Biodegradation of Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in Ground Water, Almena Agricenter Site, Almena, Kansas
• Oxygen-Release Compound Remediation Tests, Laurel Bay, South Carolina
• Using Phytoremediation to Control Fuel Oxygenate Plumes in Northern Climates

USGS Information on Fuel Oxygenates

• NAWQA National Synthesis--Volatile Organic Compounds
• The Gasoline Oxygenate Bibliography

Other Information on Fuel Oxygenates

• Oxygenated Gasoline Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• MTBE/Oxygenates, National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• MTBE, Oxygenates, and Motor Gasoline, Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy
• Clean Fuel Information, American Petroleum Institute
• Renewable Fuels Association
• European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA)

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