Química Nova (Jan 2009)

Traçadores: o uso de agentes químicos para estudos hidrológicos, ambientais, petroquímicos e biológicos Tracers: the use of chemical agents for hydrological, environmental, petrochemical and biological studies

  • Láuris Lucia da Silva,
  • Claudio Luis Donnici,
  • José Danilo Ayala,
  • Cíntia Helena de Freitas,
  • Rubens Martins Moreira,
  • Amenônia Maria Ferreira Pinto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422009000600042
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 32, no. 6
pp. 1576 – 1585

Abstract

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This paper presents a revision of the history, definitions, and classification of tracers (natural and artificial, internal and external). The fundamental ideas concerning tracers are described, followed by their application illustrated by typical examples. The advantages and disadvantages of five classes among the most frequently used external tracers (fluorescent, microbial, chemical, radioactive and activable isotopes) are also described in detail. This review also presents some interesting and modern applications of tracers in the areas of diagnostics in medical practice, environmental pollution, hydrology and petroleum chemistry.

Keywords