• Published: August 2008
• REF/ISBN: 9780852935194
• Edition: 1st
• Status: Current

This report presents available and relevant information on road transport biofuels and makes conclusions regarding their potential risks to groundwater in the UK. The report, co-funded by the Environment Agency, focuses on the biofuels that are commercially important today and those that could be in the foreseeable future, namely biodiesel, bioethanol, biobutanol, biomethanol, and ethyl tertiarybutyl ether (ETBE).

Factors considered important in assessing the potential for impact on water resources are addressed under separate sections within the report, i.e:

• production and distribution,
• physical and chemical properties, and
• fate and transport

A preliminary review of toxicity data for biofuel components and a discussion on proven and potential remediation techniques are presented. The report also highlights that the available data on the potential environmental impacts of biofuels are limited.

This report will be of particular interest to anyone concerned with environmental protection and the assessment of environmental impacts of biofuels.