Spectral fluorescent signatures (SFS) in characterisation of water environment

    L. Poryvkina, S. Babichenko, A. Leeben,
    Institute of Ecology
    Kevade St. 2
    EE000 Tallin, Estonia

    The application of Spectral Fluorescent Signatures (SFS) approach elaborated for ON-LINE diagnostics of water quality is discussed. The quantitative analysis of unknown composition of organic pollutants in water is strictly connected to the preliminary identification of substances. Thus the rapid identification of organics in natural waters is one of the key tasks when monitoring water environment.

    The spectral signatures were systematised and arranged into calibrated spectral signature catalogues for future identification and quantitative estimation of water organics. The catalogue has to be compiled taking into account the specific conditions of technogeneous or natural water area. The correlation analysis was used for expert system development.

    Usually the waste water from chemical plants contains many different organic compounds at relatively high concentration. The compounds with high fluorescence conceals trace amounts of pollutants. The difficulties in ON-LINE analysis of a conglomerate of substances are discussed.

    The SFS method was applied for the investigation of the environmental effects of the power plants on the river's water in the northern area of Estonia. The variability of the spectral signatures of water during the summer season was studied. The pollution caused by phenols and shale oils were estimated, the influence on the phytoplankton community activity was analysed.

    The SFS - technique is realised by the flow-through spectrofluorimeter FLUO-IMAGER (Laser Diagnostic Instruments Ltd.).