Excitation Emission Spectrometry as a Means to Estimate and Semi-Qualitatively Identify Organic Contaminants in Water
Changing the Paradigm for Water Pollution Monitoring
Oral Presentation
Prepared by W. Lipps
Eurofins Eaton, 750 Royal Oaks Drive, Suite 100, Monrovia, CA, 91016, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 626-386-1100
ABSTRACT
Laboratories measure total organic carbon (TOC) as a means to estimate the organic pollution load of source water, ambient water, or wastewater effluents. TOC exists as multiple organic compounds whose chemical composition is unknown and cannot be determined using TOC testing techniques, such as .oxidation and measurement as carbon dioxide. Because the TOC test does not provide chemical information, users of data are unable to use TOC data alone to track, or estimate, the source of TOC contamination. Fluorescence spectroscopy can be used, in addition to TOC, in investigating for potential sources of the organic contamination of water. Modern fluorescence spectrometers are capable of generating emission-excitation spectra that provides a unique fingerprint for different classes of organic molecules. This presentation presents examples of spectra and correlation with TOC on synthetic and real-world samples.
Changing the Paradigm for Water Pollution Monitoring
Oral Presentation
Prepared by W. Lipps
Eurofins Eaton, 750 Royal Oaks Drive, Suite 100, Monrovia, CA, 91016, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 626-386-1100
ABSTRACT
Laboratories measure total organic carbon (TOC) as a means to estimate the organic pollution load of source water, ambient water, or wastewater effluents. TOC exists as multiple organic compounds whose chemical composition is unknown and cannot be determined using TOC testing techniques, such as .oxidation and measurement as carbon dioxide. Because the TOC test does not provide chemical information, users of data are unable to use TOC data alone to track, or estimate, the source of TOC contamination. Fluorescence spectroscopy can be used, in addition to TOC, in investigating for potential sources of the organic contamination of water. Modern fluorescence spectrometers are capable of generating emission-excitation spectra that provides a unique fingerprint for different classes of organic molecules. This presentation presents examples of spectra and correlation with TOC on synthetic and real-world samples.
