Issue 3, 2020

Multi-element (C, H, Cl, Br) stable isotope fractionation as a tool to investigate transformation processes for halogenated hydrocarbons

Abstract

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) is a powerful tool to evaluate transformation processes of halogenated compounds. Many halogenated hydrocarbons allow for multiple stable isotopic systems (C, H, Cl, Br) to be measured for a single compound. This has led to a large body of literature describing abiotic and biotic transformation pathways and reaction mechanisms for contaminants such as chlorinated alkenes and alkanes as well as brominated hydrocarbons. Here, the current literature is reviewed and a new compilation of Λ values for multi-isotopic systems for halogenated hydrocarbons is presented. Case studies of each compound class are discussed and thereby the current strengths of multi-element isotope analysis, continuing challenges, and gaps in our current knowledge are identified for practitioners of multi-element CSIA to address in the near future.

Graphical abstract: Multi-element (C, H, Cl, Br) stable isotope fractionation as a tool to investigate transformation processes for halogenated hydrocarbons

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
30 Oct 2019
Accepted
20 Dec 2019
First published
31 Dec 2019

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 567-582

Multi-element (C, H, Cl, Br) stable isotope fractionation as a tool to investigate transformation processes for halogenated hydrocarbons

A. S. Ojeda, E. Phillips and B. Sherwood Lollar, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020, 22, 567 DOI: 10.1039/C9EM00498J

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