Chlorofluorocarbons as Hydrologic Tracers, A New Technology

Abstract

The nationwide research undertaken to study environmentally dispersed chlorofluorocarbons introduced into the atmosphere from aerosol cans and refrigeration systems has indicated that these compounds are potentially ideal hydrologic tracers, especially Freon-11 (Cl₃CF). The major advantages of Cl₃CF as a tracer are its non-polluting conservative nature, extremely low toxicity and sorptivity on clays, quantifiable build-up in the atmosphere, and a detection limit of about 10⁻¹⁴ grams. Quick and inexpensive detection of Cl₃CF can be done using a field-operable gas chromatograph with a pulsed electron-capture detector system. The presence of Cl₃CF in ground water, indicating an age of less than 30 years, will permit delineation of recent recharge areas. The absolute age of the recharging water is proportional to the atmospheric concentration of Cl₃CF at the time of recharge. The simple quantifiable increase of Cl₃CF in the atmosphere should therefore yield more accurate ages than those determined by tritium analysis.