Tracergassen

Tracer gases are gas-phase substances released in controlled amounts to characterize transport and mixing processes in air, water, or soils. The term tracergassen, used in Dutch-language contexts, refers to such tracer gases and their application in studying how substances move from one location to another. Tracer gas experiments aim to quantify flows, residence times, and dilution in complex environments by tracking the concentration of the injected species at multiple points.

Common applications include evaluating ventilation performance and indoor air quality in buildings, testing airtightness and leak rates in enclosed spaces, studying atmospheric dispersion and urban plume dynamics, and tracing groundwater or surface-water flows in hydrological studies. In industrial settings, tracer gases support leak detection and process optimization.

Tracers range from inert, non-reactive gases such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), helium, and neon to reactive or radioactive species used in specialized work (e.g., krypton-85, carbon dioxide in some geoscience contexts). Detection relies on gas analyzers and sensors capable of real-time or integrated measurements, including infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, or electrochemical sensors. The choice of tracer depends on detectability, safety, atmospheric lifetime, and regulatory considerations.

Some tracer gases pose environmental or health risks. SF6 has a high global warming potential and is subject to restrictions, while Krypton-85 requires regulatory control due to radioactivity. Ethical practice favors low-impact tracers and the minimization of emissions, with careful planning to avoid cross-contamination and ensure safe handling and recovery.