Recent advances in multi-element compound-specific stable isotope analysis of organohalides: Achievements, challenges and prospects for assessing environmental sources and transformation

• Rapid development of equipment for compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA).
• Carbon, chlorine, bromine and hydrogen isotope analysis of organohalides.
• Standardisation and normalisation procedures are essential.
• Application of CSIA in laboratory and field studies.

Compound specific-stable carbon isotope analysis (CSIA) has been developed and matured into an widely applied method allowing the evaluation of the origin, fate and of in situ transformation pathways as well as the fundamental investigation of associated reactions for common halogenated environmental contaminants. While carbon stable isotope analysis of GC-amenable substances such as common chlorinated groundwater contaminants is a routine application, over the last years the methods and applications have advanced to multi-element CSIA making use of new concepts for Cl, Br and H isotope analysis. This review summarizes recent technical advances, new concepts and challenges of CSIA allowing investigation of the fate of halogenated organic contaminants in the environment.