Revista internacional de recursos de desecho

Abstracto

Where Did That Pollution Come From? A Review of Chemical and Microbial Markers of Organic Pollution

John J Harwood

This review presents the current range of analytical markers which can be used to identify the sources of organic matter in environmental waters. Both chemical and microbial markers are presented. Applications which have been developed include identification of pollution input from human domestic sources, agriculture, landfills, and urban runoff. DNA and RNA characteristic of individual animal species, fecal sterols and bile acids, artificial sweeteners, commercial chemicals, and isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen have been found useful as pollution markers. The review is intended to both introduce the reader to this vital area of research, and to present an overview which can be useful to practitioners in the field.