Stable isotope investigations (H, C, O) of soil and groundwater contamination at a former industrial site

摘要

Sediments and groundwater at the site of a former gas production plant in southern Germany have been contaminated by residues of the gas production For effective remediation, it is essential to understand the hydrogeologic system and the dispersion of the organic pollutants. The stable isotope compositions of H, C_(DIC) and O serve as natural tracers to determine recharge areas and mixing processes. These tracers indicate a complex hydrogeologic scheme for the site with mixing of different types ofwaters. In addition, the C-isotope composition and concentration of DIC and of soil CO_2 serve as tracers for organic, anthropogenic pollutants at this site. The full potential of these tracers can only be realized if the biogenic and geogenic backgroundto the carbon cycle has been evaluated.