This paper discusses the use of fluorescence spectroscopy in the characterization of
dissolved organic matter (DOM) with respect to the formation of disinfection byproducts
(DBPs) during drinking water treatment. Five waters with varying water quality were
used in a bench scale study to test DBP formation under common disinfection schemes;
chlorination, booster chlorination, chlorine dioxide/chlorination and
chlorination/chloramination. The fluorescence intensity of chlorinated waters decreases
over time as fluorescing components within the DOM react with chlorine through
oxidation, addition and substitution reactions. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a technique
that can identify different fractions within the DOM through the examination of
excitation and emission matrices (EEMs). In this study, fluorescence in combination
with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), a mathematical modeling technique, is used to
show the increase in oxidation state of the chlorinated water through the change in the
redox state of identified quinone components. PARAFAC allows for the tracking of
different components' contribution to the fluorescence which can allow for tracking of
how DOM character changes due to treatment. Includes 15 references, table, figures.