The use of sterol distributions combined with compound specific isotope analyses as a tool to identify the origin of fecal contamination in rivers

► A new tool to determine the origin of fecal contamination is proposed. ► It combines the sterol distributions with the δ13C of individual sterols. ► Sterol distributions in the studied sediments match those found in chicken manure. ► δ13C of sterols show C4 plant contribution originated from chicken farm runoffs.