Sue,

We have found N isotopes to be useful as a tracer for effluents in
freshwater systems. There was a strong point source signal in the nitrogen
isotope composition of effluent material in both of the following studies:

Coakley, J.P., J.H. Carey and B.J. Eadie (1992)  Specific organic components
as tracers of contaminanted fine sediment dispersal in Lake Ontario near
Toronto.   Hydrobiologia  235/236:85-96

Kukkonen,J.V.K., B.J. Eadie, A. Oikari, B. Holmbom, M.B. Lansing (1996)
Chlorophenolic and isotopic tracers of pulp mill effluent in sedimenting
particles collected from southern lake saimaa, Finland. Sci. Total Environ.
188:15-27.

In the Lake Ontario study we also looked at coprostanol,n-alkane
hydrocarbons, alpha-tocopheryl acetate as 'natural" tags.

In the Lake Saiima study we also looked at chlorophenolics.


Hope these references are useful to you.

Best, Margaret Lansing



At 01:09 PM 10/3/97 +1000, you wrote:
>We are involved in a pilot study to identify suitable tracers for sewerage
>effluent up to 10 km from its discharge into coastal waters. The potential
>analytical techniques include: i) salinity, O and H isotope measurements to
>trace the fresh water component of the effluent stream; ii) C and N isotope
>analysis of organic particulates; iii) coprostanol analysis; and iv) trace
>metal analysis.
>
>We would be interested to hear of other's experience in this type of work,
>paricularly in the isolation of organic matter from seawater for C and N
>isotope analysis and in the interpretation of these results.
>
>Sue Golding
>---------------------------------------------------------
>Dr Sue Golding
>Senior Research Fellow
>Manager, Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory
>Department of Earth Sciences
>The University of Queensland
>Queensland  4072
>
>ph:     61 7 33651159
>fax:    61 7 33651277
>
>
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Margaret B. Lansing
U.S. Dept. of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
2205 Commonwealth Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI  48105
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313-741-2289 (lab)
313-741-2210 (office)
313-741-2055 (fax)
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