Tracers

In the context of environmental science and healthcare, tracers are substances used to track the movement of fluids or gases within a system. They are detectable markers introduced intentionally to monitor how substances travel through air, water, or the body. For example, a tracer in water testing reveals flow patterns and potential contamination pathways, while medical tracers help visualize bodily processes like blood flow or organ function. Tracers are chosen for their detectability and safety, providing valuable insights into systems’ behavior without significantly altering them.