The state of the art on fuel oxygenates, and in particular of MTBE in groundwater, is presented. Historically, oxygenates like MTBE were developed in the 1970s as octane enhancers to replace toxic additives like lead, which were phased out of gasoline. The presence of oxygenates in gasoline promotes cleaner fuel combustion within the engine, boosts fuel octane values and reduces vehicle emissions.Another relevant oxygenate is ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), which has increasingly replaced MTBE. Ethanol is by far the most commonly used alcohol oxygenate and bio-ethanol in particular is being increasingly used as a replacement for other fuel oxygenates.Today the discussion on the increase on corn production to produce bio-ethanol in order to reduce our dependency on oil is in the press. As a consequence corn cultivation started to increase in Europe, the US and Brazil with subsidiary plans from the governments up to 0.4 Euros/liter of biethanol produced.Other alcohols that can be used as fuel oxygenates are methanol and tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA). TBA is, in addition, the main degradation product of MTBE and a potential impurity from the MTBE manufacturing process.This book deals mainly with the problems associated with the contamination of groundwater by MTBE and TBA, but ETBE is also considered. The book, written by recognized specialists in the field, is organized in sections covering state-of-the-art analytical methods, including specific isotopic analysis, occurrence in the environment, transport and degradation processes, treatment technologies and human health risks. It offers a unique opportunity not only for scientists who want to get more comprehensive information on this subject but also for policy makers and stakeholders that need to manage real-world environmental problems associated with fuel oxygenate contamination of our groundwater resources.

T. Schmidt: Novel Analytical Methods for Fuel Oxygenates in Water.- M. Rosell et al.: Occurrence and Fate of MTBE in the Aquatic Environment over the last Decade.- M.J. Moran: Occurrence of MTBE and other Fuel Oxygenates in Source Water and Drinking Water of the US.- F. Fayolle: Biological Tools for the Detection of Polluted Ground Water Wells by Fuel Oxygenates.- H. Richnow et al.: Compound Specific Isotope Analysis to Characterize Degradation Pathway and to Quantify in Situ Degradation of Fuel Oxygenates and other Fuel Derived Contaminants.- D. Stupp: Extensions of MTBE Plumes in Groundwater.- D. Stupp: Technologies for Remediating MTBE under Consideration of Costs.- M. Schirmer: Enhanced Natural Attenuation of MTBE.- L. Bastiaens: Bioremediation of Groundwater Contaminated with MTBE/TBA.- P. Werner: Adsorption and Abiotic Degradation of MTBE.- E. Arvin: Removal of MTBE by Biological Filters.- C. Baus: Removal of MTBE and Other Fuel Oxygenate by Drinking Water Treatment.- D. McGregor: Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether and Ethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether: Studies for Potential Human Health Hazards.- J. Fawell: MTBE: WHO Guidelines and Taste and Odor Issues for Drinking Water.