Processing Fluorescence Spectra for Pollutants Detection Systems in Inland Waters

Abstract

Development of contaminant detection systems in various natural and industrial environments has been favored in recent years thanks to the evolution of processors and sensors. Our group works specifically on contaminant detection systems in inland waters: immediate and continuous detection is a fundamental requirement in this type of sensing. Regarding the sensors, the proposed system is based on fluorescence, since it offers a method in which there is no contact with water, which means less wear on the components and a great saving in cleaning and maintenance. On the other hand, the spectrum processing is of great importance, since it is used both in the generation of a library of fluorescence spectra taken in the laboratory and in the continuous analysis of the samples and in the comparison algorithm for identification. The validity of the system is based on the last process that is carried out in a very short time. This article describes a system to process spectra in a more accelerated way.

Species Identification and Effects of Aromatic Hydrocarbons on the Fluorescence Spectra of Different Oil Samples in Seawater

“…Fluorescence spectroscopy is a useful diagnostic tool used to evaluate petroleum hydrocarbons in natural seawater either separated by extraction and fractionation or not separated using direct detection methods [8,9]. Most petroleum products emit light at longer wavelengths than the excitation light on their own or in organic solvents, as they consist of aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) that have aromatic structures and bear conjugated double bonds with intrinsic fluorescence properties in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) region (Figure 1) [10,11]. Furthermore, AHs are the major fluorescent components in petroleum and predominate in the fluorescence spectra of sea surface oil slicks [12][13][14].…”