The presence of oxygenated ethers in groundwater (MtBE, EtBE and degradation intermediates) is a widespread problem in water near gas stations. The use of biological strategies to remove these pollutants is possible through the use of specific microbial groups capable of degrading these compounds.

The presence of ethers in groundwater is a very common problem of water underlying gas stations. Removal of these highly toxic compounds can occur biologically through the metabolism of certain bacterial groups.

The bacterial community of more than 10 sites with this type of problem was characterized by molecular biology techniques. The presence and abundance of degrading bacterial populations was evaluated in order to establish a remediation strategy, based on Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) or where required, stimulating microbial metabolism with Enhancend Natural Attenuation (ENA).