Wavelength optimised fluorescence as a proxy for natural surfactants

  1. Lookup NU author(s)
  2. Paul Mann
  3. Dr Matthew Salter
  4. Dr Guenther Uher
  5. Professor Robert Upstill-Goddard
Author(s)Mann P, Salter M, Uher G, Upstill-Goddard RC, Nightingale P, Woodward m
Editor(s)
Publication type Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Conference Name13th Biennial Challenger Conference for Marine Science
Conference LocationBangor, Wales
Year of Conference2008
Date8-11 September 2008
Volume
Pages
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Two techniques were used to elucidate specific regions of fluorescence spectra that may act as a proxy for surfactant activity. Single point wavelength pairs thought to represent major DOM pools were measured and compared to distinct ‘components’ derived by decompostion of stacked excitation-emission scans. Measurements containing information from several classical wavelength-pairs (Table 1) allowed the identification of stronger links between fluorescence and surfactant activity, than single point measures alone as has been previously used. Decomposing regional specific CDOM signatures using multi-way techniques, such as PARAFAC, and relating relative loadings of these components (rather than using ‘classical regions’) may prove an even greater tool as a proxy for surfactant activity. Areas of fluorescence most strongly related to surfactant activity were dependent upon regional (riverine, estuarine and coastal) and water type (sea-surface microlayer vs bulk waters) suggesting these measurements may also provide additional information on the dynamics of natural surfactants.
PublisherBangor University