Application of Excitation-Emission Matrix Fluorescence (EEMF) in the Wastewater Field

Abstract

Fluorescence is a versatile and useful analytical technique for the analysis of waters, both natural waters (freshwaters and marine waters) and wastewaters (urban wastewaters and industrial effluents). Among the various fluorescence techniques currently available, excitation-emission matrix fluorescence (EEMF) is the most used nowadays since it provides comprehensive information on the dissolved organic matter (DOM) present in water. EEMF spectra can be represented either in the form of a 3D-graph or a 2D-contour map and fluorescence peaks can be studied by the fast and simple peak-picking method (more suitable for routine measurements in water treatment plants, allowing a rapid response in case of potential problems in the sequence of treatment) or using mathematical tools such as PARAFAC (more suitable for research purposes and accurate identification of the fluorophores). The EEMF peaks commonly found in waters are peaks A and C (humic substances), peaks B1, B2, T1, and T2 (protein-like peaks), and peak M (microbial-like peak). EEMF was first applied to the characterization of natural waters, but in recent years, more attention is being paid to the wastewater field. Urban wastewaters have been mostly studied, whereas there are fewer studies focused on industrial effluents. This chapter provides a brief review of these EEFM applications.