Fluorescence analysis of dissolved organic matter in natural, waste and polluted waters—a review

Abstract

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aquatic systems originates from a range of sources. Some is allochthonous, transported from the surrounding landscape to the water body, and is derived from and influenced by the geology, land use and hydrology of its origin. Some is created in situ through microbial activity, which may provide an independent source of organic matter, or a recycling mechanism for that which has been transported into the water body. The relative contribution of each source depends upon the location and environmental conditions within and without the water body. Human activity is also a source of DOM, much of which is believed to be labile, which can enter the aquatic system through direct point discharges, diffuse leaching and aerial dispersal. Fluorescence spectroscopy can provide an excellent tool to source DOM fractions, and to monitor and understand DOM transformations in aquatic systems, as much DOM has an intrinsic fluorescence. In particular, recent advances in optical technology, enabling rapid investigation of shorter wavelengths, have enabled more detailed characterization of organic material and its reactions in water. In this article, we review the use of fluorescence spectroscopic techniques to measure the intrinsic fluorescence of organic matter and the application of fluorescent DOM analysis in marine waters, freshwaters and wastewaters.

Moving towards a technical specification for fluorescence excitation-emission mapping and absorbance analysis of colored dissolved organic matter

“…Fluorescent CDOM can comprise both natural and man-made components [1]. The natural components primarily consist of decomposition products of plant and animal materials, including humic and fulvic acids, proteins, and aromatic amino-acid constituents.…”

Using chemical, microbial and fluorescence techniques to understand contaminant sources and pathways to wetlands in a conservation site

“…Previously, these diffuse inputs have largely been characterised by using nutrients as a proxy (e.g. Vadas et al, 2007), although more recent studies are now examining diffuse sources and pathways by investigating pathogenic micro-organisms (Kay et al, 2008) and characterising DOM by natural fluorescence (Hudson et al, 2007). To date there have been no studies combining chemical, fluorescent and microbial techniques to help decipher multiple diffuse sources and pathways.…”

“…Excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMS) can be used to trace DOM from agricultural sources (Baker, 2002, Old et al, 2012. EEMS is sensitive enough to characterise fulvic-like, humic-like and protein-like substances (Tryptophan-like and tyrosine-like) within the DOM to help characterise and quantify the extent of contamination by effluents from different sources (Hudson et al, 2007). Fulvic-like and humiclike substances are derived from the breakdown of plant material (Stedmon et al, 2003), whereas large inputs of tryptophan-like substances are associated with readily biodegradable material from sewage and farm waste slurry (e.g.…”

Organic removal assessment at full-scale treatment facilities using advanced organic characterization tools

“…These data are useful information to identify the DOM origin. [19][20][21] The aim of this investigation was to compare several selected raw and conventionally treated drinking water sources from 52 full-scale drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) of 23 cities in China with regard to NOM character, in order to obtain a better understanding of the impact of source water on water treatment. These source water samples form a good network of information to cover all the predominant river systems in China, including the Yellow, Yangtze and Pearl rivers and the coastal areas.…”