| Abstract: | The distribution, concentrations, and detection
frequency of methyl tert-butyl-ether
(MTBE), a gasoline additive used in reformulated
gasoline to improve air quality, were characterized
in Pennsylvania?s ground water. Two
sources of MTBE in ground water, the atmosphere
and storage-tank release sites, were
examined. An analysis of atmospheric MTBE
concentrations shows that MTBE detections
(MTBE greater than or equal to 0.2 micrograms
per liter) in ground water are more likely the
result of storage-tank releases than atmospheric
deposition. A comparison of 86 ground-water
samples near storage-tank releases and
359 samples from ambient ground water (not
thought to be affected by point-source releases of
MTBE or BTEX compounds) shows that samples
within about 0.5 mile downgradient of storagetank
release sites have significantly greater
MTBE detection frequency than ambient
ground-water samples.
Aquifer type, land use, and the use of Reformulated
Gasoline (RFG) are associated with
high rates of occurrence of MTBE in ground
water in Pennsylvania. Ground-water samples
from wells in crystalline-rock aquifers near storage-
tank release sites have a significantly
greater MTBE detection frequency (57 percent)
compared to other aquifers. Samples from wells
in urban areas have a significantly greater
MTBE detection frequency compared to ambient
samples in agricultural and forested areas. Samples
from the RFG-use areas in the five southeastern
counties of Pennsylvania have a
significantly greater MTBE detection frequency
than samples outside of the RFG-use area.
MTBE detection frequency of samples near storage-
tank release sites in the RFG-use area
(45 percent) are significantly greater than ambient
samples in the RFG-use area. |
| Genre: | USGS Numbered Series |
| ProdID: | 53555 |
| Citation Author: | McAuley, Steven D. |
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| Citation Language: | ENGLISH |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 44 p., 12 figs., 2 app. |
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| Citation Series: | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Citation Series Code: | WRI |
| Citation Series Number: | 2003-4201 |
| Citation Search Results Text: | MTBE concentrations in ground water in Pennsylvania; 2003; WRI; 2003-4201; McAuley, Steven D. |
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| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | MTBE concentrations in ground water in Pennsylvania; 2003; WRI; 2003-4201; McAuley, Steven D. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/wri_2003_4201.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://pa.water.usgs.gov/reports/wrir03-4201.pdf |
| Date Other: | Thu, 1 Jan 2004 00:00 -0600 |
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