Research Projects
2H-CKW

Development of a method to measure deuterium on CHC

Hydroisotop GmbH concluded successfully the AIF-project on the development of a method to measure and to interpret 2H/1H from chlorinated carbons hydrates (CHC). With the new detection system, the hydrogen isotopes from CHC can be measured from a 10 ml water sample by a detection limit of about 100 µg/L CHC with a standard deviation of < 5 ‰.

With this system, different CHC from different production schemes were analyzed and there specific isotope signatures were determined. Also the isotope fractionation of hydrogen isotopes in different degradation experiments were studied, and the different enrichment characteristics for the biological degradation of CHC were determined. In a first test on an existing field site, the benefits of the combined determination of carbon and hydrogen isotopes from CHC for the evaluation of CHC contamination were shown.

With the new method

• - different inputs of CHC can be distinguished better,
• - the degradation conditions and degradation state is better understood,
• - even without the presence of PCE or TCE, by analyzing the hydrogen isotopes of cDCE, the input substance can be determine, which is very helpful for a correct calculation of natural attenuation.

By accomplishing the project, the method is developed for technical application. Please contact us in case of questions and interest on the application!

funded by AIF