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Identifying sources of groundwater pollution using trace element signatures

  • Nuclear Methods in Environmental Studies
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Abstract

A simple receptor modeling approach has been applied to groundwater pollution studies and has shown that maker trace elements can be used effectively in source identification and apportionment. Groundwater and source materials from one coal-fired and five oil-fired power plants, and one coal-tar deposit site have been analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis for more than 20 minor and trace elements. In one of the oil-fired power plants, trace element patterns indicated a leak from the hazardous waste surface impoundments owing to the failure of a hypolon liner. Also, the extent and spatial distribution of groundwater contamination have been determined in a coal-tar deposit site.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, Massachusetts Intitute of Technology, 138 Albany Street, 02139, Cambridge, MA

    Ilhan Olmez & Marilyn J. Hayes

Authors
  1. Ilhan Olmez
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  2. Marilyn J. Hayes
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Olmez, I., Hayes, M.J. Identifying sources of groundwater pollution using trace element signatures. Biol Trace Elem Res 26, 355–361 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02992690

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02992690

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