This is because of MTBE's chemical properties. MTBE is extremely water soluble, not likely to absorb in soil, has a high vapor pressure, and is known to be resistant to biodegradation. MTBE may release from petroleum reaching the ground water and dissolving fast. Once in the ground water, MTBE travels at the same rate as the ground water, unlike other petroleum constituents that tend to biodegrade and absorb to soil particles (EPA 1998). MTBE removal from soil is not a difficult task because of the chemical properties stated above (its high vapor pres
             ...