Development of Practical Applications of Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Water Quality Monitoring

Extensive research has been conducted regarding the characterization of natural waters using fluorescence spectroscopy, involving complex data analysis approaches not suitable for on-line implementation. This research investigated approaches to streamline data analysis such that assessment of water quality is both rapid and sensitive. A novel continuous mixing and analysis system was developed and applied to two aspects of surface water quality monitoring: quantification of environmental contaminants, and detection of wastewater. Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides were observed to have fluorescence patterns that could be separated using parallel factors analysis (PARAFAC). Reliable quantification of these compounds was achieved at levels typically detected in natural waters. Analysis of wastewater revealed that its presence was strongly correlated to microbially-derived humic-like fluorescence. An approach using of a moving baseline showed that simulated wastewater presence at 1% v/v (wastewater/lake water) was correctly detected in 89% of samples analyzed.M.A.S