Worldwide occurrence and origin of perchlorate ion in waters: A review

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2019-04, Vol.661, p.737-749
• Main Authors: Cao, Feifei, Jaunat, Jessy, Sturchio, Neil, Cancès, Benjamin, Morvan, Xavier, Devos, Alain, Barbin, Vincent, Ollivier, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied geology; Chilean nitrates; ClO4; Earth Sciences; Forensics; Isotope analysis; Military contamination; Sciences of the Universe
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.107

Perchlorate (ClO4−) is a persistent water soluble oxyanion of growing environmental interest. Perchlorate contamination can be a health concern due to its ability to disrupt the use of iodine by the thyroid gland and the production of metabolic hormones. Its widespread presence in surface water and groundwater makes the aquatic environment a potential source of perchlorate exposure. However, the amount of published data on perchlorate origins and water contamination worldwide remains spatially limited. Here, we present an overview of research on perchlorate origins and occurrences in water, and the methodology to distinguish the different perchlorate sources based on isotope analysis. All published ranges of isotopic content in perchlorate from different sources are presented, including naturally occurring and man-made perchlorate source types, as well as the effects of isotope fractionation that accompanies biodegradation processes. An example of a case study in France is presented to emphasize the need for further research on this topic. [Display omitted] •ClO4− is a water contaminant of concern due to its toxicity and widespread presence.•Both natural and anthropogenic process could contribute to ClO4− contamination.•Stable and radiogenic isotopes analysis of ClO4− distinguishes different ClO4− origins.•The French case illustrates the growing recognition of ClO4− contamination in water.