The13C/12C and 2H/1H Ratios of Trichloroethene, Tetrachloroethene and Their Metabolites

Abstract Isotope ratios of technically and biologically produced halogenated hydrocarbons (HHC) are presented. Compared to the parent compounds, there is a significant enrichment of deuterium depending on the manner of production, whereas the carbon isotope ratio was only slightly influenced. Furthermore, there is nearly no alteration of the carbon isotope ratio due to biological degradation, so that the carbon fingerprint of the parent compounds is maintained in the metabolites. In contrast to this, the hydrogen isotope ratio of the metabolites reflects the ratio of the surrounding water. These results show that the isotopic fingerprint is a useful tool to distinguish between age, different charges of chemical dumping, and in addition to that, whether there is a contamination with technical products or residual metabolites.