Cumene Contamination in Groundwater: Observed Concentrations, Evaluation of Remediation by Sulfate Enhanced Bioremediation (SEB), and Public Health Issues

John P. Herman, Lauren Redfern, Christopher Teaf, Douglas Covert, Peter R. Michael and Thomas M. Missimer
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John P. Herman: Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Lauren Redfern: U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast College, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Christopher Teaf: Institute for Science & Public Affairs, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
Douglas Covert: Hazardous Substance and Waste Management Research, Tallahassee, FL 32309, USA
Peter R. Michael: Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Thomas M. Missimer: Emergent Technologies Institute, U. A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Isopropylbenzene (cumene) is commonly encountered in groundwater at petroleum release sites due to its natural occurrence in crude oil and historical use as a fuel additive. The cumene concentrations detected at these sites often exceed regulatory guidelines or standards for states with stringent groundwater regulations. Recent laboratory analytical data collected at historical petroleum underground storage tank (UST) release sites have revealed that cumene persists at concentrations exceeding the default cleanup criterion, while other common petroleum constituents are below detection limits or low enough to allow natural attenuation as a remediation strategy. This effectively makes cumene the driver for active remediation at some sites. An insignificant amount of research has been conducted for the in-situ remediation of cumene. Sulfate Enhanced Biodegradation (SEB) is evaluated in a field case study. The results from the field case study show an approximate 92% decrease in plume area following three rounds of SEB injections. An additional objective of this research was to determine the cumene concentration in fuels currently being used to determine future impacts. A review of safety data sheets from several fuel suppliers revealed that cumene concentrations in gasoline are reported typically as wide ranges due to the proprietary formulations. Several fuels from different suppliers were analyzed to determine a baseline of cumene concentration in modern fuels. The results of the analysis indicated that cumene accounts for approximately 0.01% (diesel) to 0.13% (premium gasoline) of the overall fuel composition. Cumene generally is considered to be of low human health toxicity, with the principal concern being eye, skin, and respiratory irritation following inhalation of vapors in an occupational setting, but it has been regulated in Florida at very low concentrations based on organoleptic considerations.

Keywords: isopropylbenzene (cumene); gasoline; groundwater contamination; remediation; public health risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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