Chemical tracers are substances that can be used to track the movement and distribution of a chemical or physical process. They are often used in scientific research, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes to study the behavior of various systems such as air pollution, water contamination, and waste management.
In simple terms, chemical tracers are like "breadcrumbs" that can be followed to determine how a substance is moving through an environment or system. They work by adding a small amount of a radioactive, fluorescent, or chemically distinctive compound to the sample being studied. This added compound then acts as a marker, allowing scientists to track its movement and distribution over time.
Overall, chemical tracers are valuable tools that help researchers better understand complex systems and processes in various fields of study.