Fluorescence Excitation−Emission Matrix Characterization of Some Sewage-Impacted Rivers
Top Cited Papers
- 26 January 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Environmental Science & Technology
- Vol. 35 (5), 948-953
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es000177t
Abstract
Fluorescence excitation−emission matrix (EEM) spectrophotometry was applied to 10 sample sites in six rivers in northeastern England, some of which were adversely impacted by sewage treatment works (STW) discharges, with the aim to investigate whether STW discharge has a significantly distinct fluorescence signature. Upstream, downstream, and STW discharge samples for two STWs demonstrated that treated sewage has a distinct fluorescence EEM, with high tryptophan and fulvic-like fluorescence intensities that are of approximately equal ratio. This signature could be seen in downstream samples. When all 10 sample locations were compared, two trend lines were apparent where STW impacted rivers plotted separately from the other sample locations. Fluorescence EEM signatures were compared to absorption at 254 nm and demonstrated to provide a better fingerprint of sewage-impacted water. It is suggested that fluorescence EEM spectrophotometry can provide a useful tool for the analysis of grab samples taken for both routine and investigative monitoring and has the potential for on-line monitoring of STW impacts on river systems.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- Fluorescence Fingerprint of Waters: Excitation-Emission Matrix Spectroscopy as a Tracking ToolApplied Spectroscopy, 2000
- Monitoring of water quality using fluorescence technique: prospect of on-line process controlWater Research, 1999
- Fluorescence wavelength and intensity variations of cave watersJournal of Hydrology, 1999
- Fluorescence intensity variations of speleothem‐forming groundwaters: Implications for paleoclimate reconstructionWater Resources Research, 1999
- Detection of domestic wastes in Kurose river using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopyWater Research, 1998
- Rapid and direct determination of wastewater BOD values using a fluorescence techniqueWater Research, 1997
- Fluorescence Characterization of IHSS Humic Substances: Total Luminescence Spectra with Absorbance CorrectionEnvironmental Science & Technology, 1996
- Characterization of marine and terrestrial DOM in seawater using excitation-emission matrix spectroscopyMarine Chemistry, 1996
- Ultra-violet absorption as a tracing technique for sewage dispersion and water masses in two red sea coastal lagoons in JeddahWater Research, 1992
- Automatic u.v.-control system for relative evaluation of organic water pollutionWater Research, 1975