Novel molecular tracers for the assessment of groundwater pollution

The range of synthetic chemicals produced and released into the global environment, and our understanding of their potential harm to human and ecological health are both growing. However, in many instances our understanding of these compounds and their environmental behaviour and associated risks is still lacking. To address this issue, there is a need to advance methods of contaminant detection, and a concomitant increase in understanding of their sources, fate and transport in the environment. In this context, having a range of tools allowing for the accurate and rapid identification of groundwater contaminants and understand their sources and behaviour, is vital to preventing major public and environmental health problems, and costly, difficult cleanups. This article reviews important recent advances in the use of novel molecular tracers to enhance the identification and characterisation of groundwater pollution sources, and understand how they move, accumulate and degrade in the subsurface environment.