Influence of Ethanol and Methyl Groups on the Degradation of Xylenes in Soil

The main objective of the present study was to assess the influence of ethanol on the evaporation profile of xylenes (ortho + meta and para isomers) in active (with microorganisms) and inert (without microorganisms) soils. The vapors from four sealed flasks containing inert soil + neat xylenes, active soil + neat xylenes, inert soil + xylenes + ethanol and active soil + xylenes + ethanol were monitored during 20 days by Gas Chromatography using a Flame Ionization Detector (GC/FID). No statistical differences were observed comparing the concentrations of the meta and para isomers in all samples. The differences among the average concentrations of meta, para and ortho isomers were relevant only in the active soil samples without ethanol (95% confidence interval). Ethanol may enhance the ortho isomer volatilization and delay the degradations of meta and para isomers.