Differentiation of nitrate sources: an environmental forensics approach

作者：Fenech Cecilia^*

来源：Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 2014, 13(1): 1-4.

DOI：10.1007/s11157-013-9319-x

• Environmental forensics
• Sewage
• Manure
• Pharmaceuticals
• Nitrates

The field of environmental science is currently undergoing a shift from environmental measurement to environmental forensics. This is largely attributed to the Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/EC, which lays down the framework for the application of the %26apos;polluter pays principle%26apos;. The adoption of environmental forensics approaches for nitrate source determination is one of the areas receiving the greatest interest. Current methods used for nitrate source differentiation do not successfully distinguish between sewage and manure sources. Nevertheless, achieving this specific differentiation is of great importance due to different health risks arising from the two sources. This science career contribution discusses emerging efforts in using chemical markers for differentiating and characterising point and diffuse inputs of sewage and manure into surface waters.

• 出版日期2014-3