BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene) analysis

BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene) Analysis
BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene) Analysis

One of the soil pollutants is BTEX. BTEX is the most common groundwater pollutant. BTEX was formed from the initials of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene compounds. BTEX compounds are crude oil and petroleum products. These are monoaromatic hydrocarbons without oxygen. They are cancerous because of their low toxicity. Comparing other fuel compounds at low concentrations contributes to their high solubility and mobility in water. It causes contamination by mixing with drinking water with its storage under ground.

One of the factors polluting the soil is industrial waste. As a result of production activities, industrial plants leave some industrial wastes to the air and water, pollute the soil, degrade the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and cause the soil to be inefficient. Among these, crude oil and petroleum products wastes create significant environmental damage.

Benzene is a very simple compound in the group of organic compounds called aromatic hydrocarbons. It is obtained from coal tar. Benzene is used in industrial plastics production, nylon components, synthetic detergent production, aircraft fuel and paint production.

Toluene is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid that smells like thinner. Like benzene, toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It is generally used as a solvent for thinning paints. It is used as an octane enhancer in plastic manufacturing, ink making, disinfectants, fuels, and explosive production (TNT).

Ethylbenzene is also aromatic hydrocarbon. It is found in hard coal tar and petroleum products. Used as solvent in chemical processes.

Xylene is a volatile organic compound made of benzene. They are related to toluene. It is toxic and cancerous.

BTEX analyzes are also performed by authorized laboratories within the framework of soil analyzes. In addition to legal regulations, national and international standards published in these studies are taken into consideration. BTEX analyzes are generally based on the determination method with EPA 5021A, EPA 8015D Headspace GC.