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3.0 BROM/DE IS SUITABLEAS A TRACER <br /> Bromide is an excellent ground-water tracer for almost all applications. Bromide is an <br /> anionic tracer. Davis et al. (1985, p.1) list the properties of an ideal tracer as one <br /> which travels at the same velocity and direction as water, does not interact with solid <br /> material, is non-toxic, is relatively inexpensive, is easily detected, and does not modify <br /> the hydraulic medium. Davis et al.(1985, p.86) then go on to state that dilute <br /> concentrations of certain anions, in particular, approach the characteristics of an ideal <br /> tracer. <br /> Davis et al. (1985, p. 166) specifically state that bromide is stable and that there is <br /> no sorption. Schmotzer et al. (1973) found that bromide (Br) is not adsorbed, <br /> absorbed, precipitated, or affected by biological activity. Davis et al. (1980, p.16) <br /> reports that "Br" offers one of the best possibilities as a general tracer for ground- <br /> water studies" because of bromide's favorable properties as a tracer, including low <br /> sorption. The theoretical reasons behind the chemical and physical characteristics of <br /> bromide are detailed in the following sections. <br /> 4.0 USE OF BROM/DE IS ACCEPTED PRACTICE <br /> Bromide's excellent attributes as a ground-water tracer, combined with its reasonable <br /> cost, have led to its use in a wide range of applications. Davis et al. (1985, p.94) <br /> state that "Br is perhaps the most commonly used ion tracer." Appendix A lists 60 <br /> publications which discuss the use of bromide as a ground-water tracer, and the list <br /> I:\ADMIN\WP\DIANE\BROMIDE.RPT 3 <br /> H11HYDRO-SEARCH,I G A Tetra Tech Company <br />