Anugrah Aditya Budiarsa

The carbon isotope C13 is commonly used in pollution tracing studies in natural environments such as air and water, as it allows for the identification of the origin of carbon dioxide or other organic compounds within ecosystems. Given that C13 is used in isotopic tracing, it can also serve to identify pollution sources; however, its application in sediments is more specific and may be more challenging compared to its use in air or water.

When it comes to sediments, pollutants that settle can exhibit a distinct isotopic “signature,” which can be detected when compared to the majority of other substances present in the sediment. However, this depends on the specific characteristics of the pollutant and its concentration relative to all other sediment components, which can be problematic in cases where pollutant concentrations are very low.

Regarding the detection of pollutants through the C13 isotope ratio, it is indeed possible but with certain limitations. Sediments are often more complex in both structure and composition, and the accuracy and precision of such measurements can depend on multiple factors, such as the type of sediment, the concentration of the pollutant, and other characteristics that may influence the outcome. In some cases, a high concentration of pollutants may even interfere with the precision of C13 isotope measurements.

Answer to the question:

Yes, it is possible to detect pollutants using the C13 isotope ratio, but this depends on specific conditions and the type of pollutant present in the sediments. If the pollutant is present in a sufficiently high concentration relative to other sediment components, isotopic ratios can allow for the identification of the pollution source. However, in sediments with low pollutant concentrations or complex compositions, detection may be more difficult, and specialized studies and advanced techniques are required to obtain accurate data.

Thank you for your response.

I agree with you; sediments receive contributions from various sources, and the dominant source will affect the ratio value more. While the pollutants we are handling are organic pollutants, it seems we need to be more specific in assessing them.