title: Use of three-dimensional excitation and emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy for predicting the disinfection by-product formation potential of reclaimed water.
abstract: This study was undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3DEEM) fluorescence spectroscopy for the determination of chlorination disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors and the disinfection by-product formation potential (DBPFP) of reclaimed water samples. Two major DBP precursors were examined in this study, including humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA). The 3DEEM fluorescence results obtained from various reclaimed water samples indicated that the reclaimed water samples were rich in fulvic acid-like substances that were associated with two main peaks (Ex/Em = 235-245/420-440 nm, and Ex/Em = 330-340/410-430 nm) in the fluorescence spectrum. The results also illustrated that the wavelength location of peak fluorescence intensity of a reclaimed water sample was independent of the influent water quality and the wastewater treatment process used in the reclamation plant. As a result, the peak fluorescence intensity and the wavelength location of the peak were used to identify the species of DBP precursors and their concentrations in the reclaimed water sample. Four regression models were then developed to relate the peak fluorescence intensity of the water sample to its DBPFP, including the formation potential of trihalomethane (THMFP) and the formation potential of haloacetic acid (HAAFP). The regression models were verified using the measured DBPFP results of a series of reclaimed water samples. It was found that the regression modeling results matched the measured DBPFP values well, with prediction errors below 10%. Therefore, the use of 3DEEM fluorescence spectroscopy together with the developed regression models in this study can provide a reliable and rapid tool for monitoring the quality of reclaimed water. Using this method, water quality could be monitored online, without utilizing the lengthy conventional DBPFP measurement.
authors.affiliation: College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China; Key Laboratory of Beijing Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing 100124, PR China. Electronic address: haoruixia@bjut.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Ruixia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China; Key Laboratory of Beijing Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing 100124, PR China.
authors.forename: Huiqin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9, Canada. Electronic address: li@unbc.ca.
authors.forename: Jianbing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China; Key Laboratory of Beijing Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing 100124, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhongzhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China; Key Laboratory of Beijing Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing 100124, PR China.
authors.forename: Hongwen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China; Key Laboratory of Beijing Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing 100124, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China.
authors.forename: Shuiyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000737:chemistry; D004203:Disinfection; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D022882:Trihalomethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D006812:Humic Substances; D022882:Trihalomethanes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C005023:fulvic acid