Chlorine-36 as a tracer of perchlorate origin
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Abstract
Perchlorate (ClO4−) is ubiquitous in the environment. It is produced naturally by atmospheric photochemical reactions, and also is synthesized in large quantities for military, aerospace, and industrial applications. Nitrate-enriched salt deposits of the Atacama Desert (Chile) contain high concentrations of natural ClO4−, and have been exported worldwide since the mid-1800s for use in agriculture. The widespread introduction of synthetic and agricultural ClO4− into the environment has contaminated numerous municipal water supplies. Stable isotope ratio measurements of Cl and O have been applied for discrimination of different ClO4− sources in the environment. This study explores the potential of 36Cl measurements for further improving the discrimination of ClO4− sources. Groundwater and desert soil samples from the southwestern United States (U.S.) contain ClO4− having high 36Cl abundances (36Cl/Cl = 3100 × 10−15 to 28,800 × 10−15), compared with those from the Atacama Desert (36Cl/Cl = 0.9 × 10−15 to 590 × 10−15) and synthetic ClO4−reagents and products (36Cl/Cl = 0.0 × 10−15 to 40 × 10−15). In conjunction with stable Cl and O isotope ratios, 36Cl data provide a clear distinction among three principal ClO4− source types in the environment of the southwestern U.S.
Suggested Citation
Sturchio, N., Caffee, M., Beloso, A.D., Heraty, L., Böhlke, J., Hatzinger, P., Jackson, W., Gu, B., Heikoop, J., Dale, M., 2009, Chlorine-36 as a tracer of perchlorate origin: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 43, no. 18, p. 6934-6938, https://doi.org/10.1021/es9012195.
ISSN: 1520-5851 (online)
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Chlorine-36 as a tracer of perchlorate origin |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/es9012195 |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 18 |
| Publication Date | August 13, 2009 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS |
| Contributing office(s) | Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 5 p. |
| First page | 6934 |
| Last page | 6938 |