The C-13/C-12 and H-2/H-1 ratios of trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene andtheir metabolites

Isotope ratios of technically and biologically produced halogenated hydroca rbons (HHC) are presented. Compared to the parent compounds, there is a sig nificant enrichment of deuterium depending on the manner of production, whe reas the carbon isotope ratio was only slightly influenced. Furthermore, th ere is nearly no alteration of the carbon isotope ratio due to biological d egradation, so that the carbon fingerprint of the parent compounds is maint ained in the metabolites. In contrast to this, the hydrogen isotope ratio o f the metabolites reflects the ratio of the surrounding water. These result s show that the isotopic fingerprint is a useful tool to distinguish betwee n age, different charges of chemical dumping, and in addition to that, whet her there is a contamination with technical products or residual metabolite s.