Fluorescence fingerprints to monitor total trihalomethanes and N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potentials in water

Abstract

Water samples from 56 lakes of Missouri, USA, were analysed for their fluorescence excitation/emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy and the formation potentials of total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Comparing the excitation/emission matrix fingerprints with trihalomethanes formation revealed that water with higher fluorescence intensity generally exhibited higher trihalomethanes formation potential. Moreover, waters with fluorescence centre at excitation: 290–310 nm/emission: 330–350 nm were related to high N-nitrosodimethylamine and trihalomethanes formation potentials. The results suggest that excitation/emission matrix fingerprints could be used as surrogate parameters for monitoring trihalomethanes and N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potentials.