Simultaneous analyses and applications of multiple fluorobenzoate and halide tracers in hydrologic studies

An analytical method that employs ion chromatography has been developed to exploit the use of fluorobenzoic acids (FBAs) and halides more fully as hydrologic tracers. In a single run, this reliable, sensitive, and robust method can simultaneously separate and quantify halides (fluoride, chloride, bromide, and iodide) and up to seven FBAs from other common groundwater constituents (e.g. nitrate and sulphate). The usefulness of this analytical method is demonstrated in both field and laboratory tracer experiments. The field study examines the hydrologic response of fractures and the matrix to different flow rates and the contribution of matrix diffusion in chemical transport. Laboratory tracer experiments with eight geologic media from across the USA—mostly from Department of Energy facilities where groundwater contamination is prevalent and where subsurface characterization employing tracers has been ongoing or is in need—reveal several insights about tracer transport behaviour: (1) bromide and FBAs are not always transported conservatively; (2) the delayed transport of these anionic tracers is likely related to geologic media characteristics, such as organic matter, pH, iron oxide content, and clay mineralogy; (3) use of iodine as a hydrologic tracer should take into account the different sorption behaviours of iodide and iodate and the possible conversion of iodine’s initial chemical form; (4) the transport behaviour of potential FBA and halide tracers under relevant geochemical conditions should be evaluated before beginning ambitious, large-scale field tracer experiments. Copyright  2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.