Review: BTEX compounds in water – future trends and directions for water treatment

Abstract

BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) compounds are common water  resource and potable water pollutants that are often left undetected and untreated by  municipal treatment systems in spite of the negative repercussions associated with their ingestion. The US EPA has classified these pollutants as priority pollutant, yet  they are persistently present in a variety of water resources. In this review paper, we highlight the sources and reported concentrations of BTEX compounds in water and explore historical remediation techniques that have been applied such as  bioremediation and natural attenuation. We also highlight emerging possibilities and future directions for remediation techniques, such as nanotechnology-based materials and novel green materials (tannins) that can be applied to ensure removal of these  compounds in water. 

Keywords: adsorbents, biosorbents, BTEX, remediation, nanotechnology, water quality