Environmental Remediation Program
Address
Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States
Email
When do I need to sample soil and groundwater for ethanol and methanol?
Soil samples
When petroleum containing ethanol or methanol is released to the environment, the ethanol and methanol tend to readily migrate through soil into groundwater. Therefore, under the Missouri Risk Based Corrective Action (MRBCA) process, soil samples need not be analyzed for ethanol or methanol.
Groundwater samples
If a petroleum release has or is likely to affect groundwater, in addition to other contaminants of concern, under certain circumstances, groundwater samples must be analyzed for ethanol and methanol. Groundwater samples must be analyzed for ethanol and methanol only when the groundwater is being used, or is likely to be used, as drinking water in the future. If the groundwater is not being used in a home or business, groundwater samples need not be analyzed for ethanol and methanol.
What analytical method do I use to analyze groundwater samples for ethanol and methanol?
Use direct injection gas chromatography to analyze groundwater samples for ethanol and methanol. For other gasoline oxygenates, use Method 8260B.
What is the effective date of these provisions?
The provisions described above regarding the analysis of ethanol and methanol became effective 2004.