Assessing multiple techniques for identifying various sources of chloride to urban groundwater and streams.

ABSTRACT: Chloride (Cl) concentrations in urban surface waters and groundwaters in temperate climate regions have been rising, with this primarily attributed to the application of road salt. While this may be the case in many locations, other anthropogenic sources of Cl, such as wastewater, landfill leachate, softened water, and fertilizers, may play an important role but are often overlooked. Natural Cl sources must not be overlooked either. Proper identification of the chloride source is necessary to guide potential mitigation measures. This study demonstrates and assesses a unique suite of five techniques that have been used to characterize Cl sources affecting freshwater systems, including established and more novel methods-temporal Cl concentration patterns (including continuous specific conduc

SUBMITTER: Lackey RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811373 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature