Short Overview of the Tozicity and (Modelled) Degradability of Model Substances of the 1st Generation Biofuels
Biofuels are increasingly used as alternatives for commonly used mineral oils and petrol. Because of moral and economic considerations, there is discussion on the merits of this substitution, and there is concern regarding possible adverse effects of emissions of biofuels and combustion gases on human health and ecosystem health. Finally, there is concern on the persistence of biofuels in the environment. The study reported here was aimed at gathering information on the environmental (bio)degradability and toxicity of biofuels. A short literature study was supplemented with model calculation on the biodegradability of the biofuels, using one of the most advanced software packages available for this purpose. Fiscal privileges in Europe currently stimulate the use of ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) as additive to biofuels. ETBE is obtained from bio -ethanol. For ETBE too, the biodegradability and toxicity were determined in this study. The general finding is that biofuels are relatively easily degradable in the environment, and that their toxicity is limited. Problems are expected with regard to the additive ETBE. This chemical is less prone to degradation and it is virtually non-degradable in anaerobic environmental compartments. Thereupon, ETBE is highly water soluble, allowing the chemical to migrate freely in the environment.
biofuels environment biodegradability tozicity ETBE
PEIJNENBURG Willie DEN HOLLANDER Henri
National Institute of Public Health and the Environment,Laboratory for Ecological Risk AssessmentPO National Institute of Public Health and the Environment,Laboratory for Ecological Risk Assessment PO
国际会议
2009 International Symposium on Environmental Science and Technology(2009环境科学与技术国际会议)
上海
英文
227-230
2009-06-02（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）