A new bacterium called Rhodococcus sp. ZJUT312 can break down harmful chemicals found in gasoline like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). This bacterium is really good at breaking down o-xylene, with a degradation rate much higher than other bacteria. When o-xylene is broken down, it forms a substance called 2-methylbenzylalcohol before turning into CO2. Most of the o-xylene carbons are used to make more bacteria, and some are turned into CO2. The way the bacterium breaks down o-xylene fits a model called Haldane's model, and it can break down o-xylene faster than other bacteria.