Evaluation of Btex Contamination in Bengaluru Groundwater and Remediation of Contaminated Water Samples

Abstract

BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers) are monoaromatic, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with single benzene ring and various degree of alkylation. US EPA classifies benzene and TEX (toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) as Class A (Carcinogenic) and Class D pollutants, respectively. A major source of BTEX contamination in groundwater is leakage from storage tanks in gasoline filling stations and oil-refineries. Perusal of the groundwater quality data in problem areas of India shows availability of data for inorganic contaminants, microbial contaminants and pesticides but do not contain data on BTEX levels in groundwater. Results of the study indicate that BTEX contamination of Bengaluru aquifers from leaky UST s in petrol filling stations is not extensive as only 6 % of groundwater samples showed benzene presence in excess of the permissible limit, while TEX compounds were below permissible limit in all the 124 groundwater samples... newline