Assessment of phytoplankton class abundance using fluorescence excitation-emission matrix by parallel factor analysis and nonnegative least squares

The feasibility of using fluorescence excitation-emission matrix(EEM) along with parallel factor analysis(PARAFAC) and nonnegative least squares(NNLS) method for the differentiation of phytoplankton taxonomic groups was investigated. Forty-one phytoplankton species belonging to 28 genera of five divisions were studied. First, the PARAFAC model was applied to EEMs, and 15 fluorescence components were generated. Second, 15 fluorescence components were found to have a strong discriminating capability based on Bayesian discriminant analysis(BDA). Third, all spectra of the fluorescence component compositions for the 41 phytoplankton species were spectrographically sorted into 61 reference spectra using hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), and then, the reference spectra were used to establish a database. Finally, the phytoplankton taxonomic groups was differentiated by the reference spectra database using the NNLS method. The five phytoplankton groups were differentiated with the correct discrimination ratios(CDRs) of 100% for single-species samples at the division level. The CDRs for the mixtures were above 91% for the dominant phytoplankton species and above 73% for the subdominant phytoplankton species. Sixteen of the 85 field samples collected from the Changjiang River estuary were analyzed by both HPLC-CHEMTAX and the fluorometric technique developed. The results of both methods reveal that Bacillariophyta was the dominant algal group in these 16 samples and that the subdominant algal groups comprised Dinophyta, Chlorophyta and Cryptophyta. The differentiation results by the fluorometric technique were in good agreement with those from HPLC-CHEMTAX. The results indicate that the fluorometric technique could differentiate algal taxonomic groups accurately at the division level.

Highly sensitive fluorescence quantification of irinotecan in biological fluids with the aid of second-order advantage

A rapid,green and highly sensitive excitation-emission matrix（EEM） fluorescence method was proposed for analysis of irinotecan（CPT-11） in biological fluids including human plasma and urine samples of uncalibrated interferences with the aid of second-order advantage.Due to the serious spectral overlapping from biological matrices,the parallel factor analysis（PARAFAC） and the alternating normalization-weighted error（ANWE） have been recommended to perform directly calibration and overcome the problem which makes the traditional fluorospectrophotometer in trouble.Satisfactory results can be achieved.Furthermore, performance of the proposed method was evaluated based on figures of merit and some statistical parameters.The accuracy of both algorithms was validated by the elliptical joint confidence region（EJCR） test.The precision and repeatability were also investigated by the relative standard deviations（RSDs） of intra-day and inter-day.

Investigation of seasonal variability of CDOM fluorescence in the southern Changjiang River Estuary by EEM-PARAFAC

The southern Changjiang River Estuary has attracted considerable attention from marine scientists because it is a highly biologically active area and is biogeochemically significant. Moreover, land-ocean interactions strongly impact the estuary, and harmful algal blooms （HABs） frequently occur in the area. In October 2010 and May 2011, water samples of chromophoric dissolved organic matter （CDOM） were collected from the southern Changjiang River Estuary. Parallel factor analysis （PARAFAC） was used to assess the samples＇ CDOM composition using excitation-emission matrix （EEM） spectroscopy. Four components were identified： three were humic-like （C1, C2 and C3） and one was protein-like （C4）. Analysis based on spatial and seasonal distributions, as well as relationships with salinity, Chl a and apparent oxygen utilization （AOU）, revealed that terrestrial inputs had the most significant effect on the three humic-like Components C1, C2 and C3 in autumn. In spring, microbial processes and phytoplankton blooms were also important factors that impacted the three components. The protein-like Component C4 had autochthonous and allochthonous origins and likely represented a biologically labile component. CDOM in the southern Changjiang River Estuary was mostly affected by terrestrial inputs. Microbial processes and phytoplankton blooms were also important sources of CDOM, especially in spring. The fluorescence intensities of the four components were significantly higher in spring than in autumn. On average, C1, C2, C3, C4 and the total fluorescence intensity （TFI） in the surface, middle and bottom layers increased by 123%-242%, 105%-195%, 167%-665%, 483%-567% and 184%-245% in spring than in autumn, respectively. This finding corresponded with a Chl a concentration that was 16-20 times higher in spring than in autumn and an AOU that was two to four times lower in spring than in autumn. The humification index （HIX） was lower in spring that in autumn, and the fluorescence index （FI） was higher in spring than in autumn. This result indicated that the CDOM was labile and the biological activity was intense in spring.

Characteristics of extracellular fluorescent substances of aerobic granular sludge in pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor

The aerobic granular sludge was cultivated in a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor （SBR）, and some of the granules were stored at 8 ℃ for 150 d. Extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） of sludge samples were extracted and analyzed during the granulation and storage process. The results show that the contents of protein and EPS increase along with the granulation process, while polysaccharides remain almost unchanged. The content of protein in EPS is almost two-fold larger than that of polysaccharides in granular sludge cultivated with municipal wastewater. Moreover, some of the granules disintegrate during storage, corresponding to the decrease of protein contents in EPS. Three peaks are identified in three-dimensional excitation emission matrix （EEM） fluorescence spectra of the EPS in the aerobic granules. Two peaks （A and B） are attributed to the protein-like fluorophores, and the third （peak C） is related to visible fulvic-like substances. Peak A gradually disappears during storage, while a new peak related to ultraviolet fulvic acid （peak D） is formed. The formation and the stability of aerobic granules are closely dependent on the quantity and composition of EPS proteins. Peak C has no obvious changes during granulation, while the fulvic-like substances present an increase in fluorescence intensities during storage, accompanied with an increase in structural complexity. The fulvie-like substances are also associated with the disintegration of the aerobic granules.

Characterization of chromophoric dissolved organic matter(CDOM) in the East China Sea in autumn using excitationemission matrix(EEM) fluorescence and parallel factor analysis(PARAFAC)

Samples of chromophoric dissolved organic matter （CDOM） in the East China Sea in autumn （October in 2011） were analyzed by excitation emission matrix （EEM） fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis （PARAFAC）. Three terrestrial humic-like components （C1, C2 and C3） and one protein-like component （C4） were identified. Based on spatial dis- tributions, as well as relationships with salinity, the following assignments were made. The three humic-like components （CI, C2 and C3） showed conservative mixing behavior and came mainly from riverine input. The protein-like component （C4） was considered a combination of autochthonous production and terrestrial inputs and a biologically labile component. Path analysis of samples from the middle and bottom layers revealed that the causal effects on C1 were -78.46% for salinity, and -21.54% for apparent oxygen utilization （AOU）; those on C2 were -76.43% for salinity, and -23.57% for AOU; those on C3 were -70.49% for salinity, 7.01% for Chl-a, and -22.50% for AOU; those on C4 were -55.54% for salinity, 14.6% for Chl-a, and -29.86% for AOU in middle layer; and those on C4 were -57.37% for salinity, 29.02% for Chl-a, and -13.61% for AOU in bottom layer. Results indicated that CDOM in tile East China Sea was mainly affected by terrestrial inputs, and microbial ac- tivities also played a key role in biogeochemical processes of CDOM. The application of the EEM-PARAFAC model present- ed a unique opportunity to observe compositional changes in CDOM in the East China Sea. In addition, the humification index （HIX） suggested that CDOM from the East China Sea was less stable and stayed shorter in the environment.

A new application of multiwavelets:Discrimination of marine algae taxonomic groups with emission-excitation matrix fluorescence

The 3D fluorescence discrimination of phytoplankton classes was investigated by SA4 multiwavelet,GHM multiwavelet,and coifman-2(coif2) wavelet analysis.Belonging to 35 genera of 7 major phytoplankton divisions in the inshore area of China Sea,Single species cultures of 51 phytoplankton species were employed.The second scale vector (Ca2) of SA4,Ca2 of GHM and the third scale vector (Ca3) of coif2 were selected as feature spectra by Bayesian discriminate analysis (BDA).The reference spectra were obtained via hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).With average high correct discrimination ratios (CDRs),reference spectra were representative to phytoplankton species.For one-algae samples,the average CDRs were 95.6% at genus level and 86.7% at division level.For the laboratory mixed samples,the average CDRs (one division accounted for 25%,75% or 100% of the total biomass) were 86.6%,91.4% and 100% at division level.Moreover,the average CDRs of the dominant species (accounted for 75%) was 79.8% at genus level.Results for the in situ samples were coincided with the microscopic ones at division level with the relative contents of 54.3%-96.5%.The fluorometric discriminating technique was further tested during the cruise in Bohai Sea recently.

Rapid and simple analysis of amphetamine-type illegal drugs using excitation–emission matrix fluorescence coupled with parallel factor analysis

Nowadays,the abuse of illegal drugs has been an increasingly grim problem in the world.Excitation–emission matrix fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis was used to make a quantitative analysis of the simulated amphetamine-type illegal drugs.Satisfactory results were achieved for simultaneous determination of methamphetamine(MAM)and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA)in the presence of adulterants.The average recoveries were(99.8±0.6)%and(101.6±5.7)%for MAM and MDMA,respectively.Figures of merit including root-mean-square error of calibration and prediction,sensitivity and selectivity were investigated to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.The limits of detection were 0.054 and 0.0021 g/mL for MAM and MDMA,respectively.

Chemical properties of colored dissolved organic matter in the sea-surface microlayer and subsurface water of Jiaozhou Bay, China in autumn and winter

The distribution and chemical properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter （CDOM） in the Jiaozhou Bay, China were examined during four cruises in 2010-2011. The influence of freshwater and industrial and municipal sewage along the eastern coast of the bay was clearly evident as CDOM level- s （defined as a30s）, and dissolved organic carbon （DOC） concentrations were well correlated with salinity during all the cruises. Moreover, DOC concentrations were significantly correlated with chlorophyll a con- centrations in the surface microlayer as well as in the subsurface water. The concentrations of DOC and CDOM displayed a gradually decreasing trend from the northwestern and eastern coast to the central hay, and the values and gradients of their concentrations on the eastern coast were generally higher than those on the western coast. In addition, CDOM and DOC levels were generally higher in the surface microlayer than in the subsurface water. In comparison with DOC, CDOM exhibited a greater extent of enrichment in the microlayer in each cruise, with average enrichment factor （EF） values of 1.38 and 1.84, respectively. Four fluorescent components were identified from the surface microlayer and subsurface water samples and could be distinguished as peak A, peak T, peak B and peak M. For all the cruises, peak A levels were higher in the surface microlayer than in the subsurface water. This pattern of variation might be attributed to the terrestrial input.

Characterization of dissolved organic matter as N-nitrosamine precursors based on hydrophobicity, molecular weight and fluorescence

It is very important to identify the dominant precursors for N-nitrosamine formation from bulk organic matter, to enhance the understanding of N-nitrosamine formation pathways in water treatment plants and allow the development of practical treatment technologies. In this study, dissolved organic matter （DOM） from two source waters was fractionated with XAD resins and ultra- filtration membranes. The N-nitrosamine formation potential （FP） （ng of N-nitrosamines formed per mg of dissolved organic carbon （DOC）） from raw water and each fraction were measured and correlated with the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix （EEM）, molecular weight （MW） and other assays. The results showed that the hydrophilic fraction had N-nitrosamine FP 1.3 to 3.5 times higher than the hydrophobic fraction from both source waters. The DOM fraction with low MW was the dominant fraction in these two source waters and contributed more precursors for N-nitrosamine formation than the larger MW fraction. The EEM spectra indicated there were notable amounts of soluble microbial products （SMPs） and aromatic proteins in the two studied rivers, which probably originated from wastewater discharge. The SMPs tended to be more closely correlated with N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potential than the other DOM components. Higher N-nitrosamine FP were also related to fractions with lower DOC/DON ratios and lower SUVA254 values.

Investigation of fluorescence characterization and electrochemical behavior on the catalysts of nanosized Pt-Rh/y-AI203 to oxidize gaseous ammonia

This work describes the environmentally friendly technology for oxidation of ammonia （NH3） to form nitrogen at temperatures range from 423K to 673K by selective catalytic oxidation （SCO） over a nanosized Pt- Rh/γ-A12O3 catalyst prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method of hexachloroplatinic acid （H2PtC16） and rhodium （Ⅲ） nitrate （Rh（NO3）3） with γ-A12O3 in a tubular fixed-bed flow quartz reactor （TFBR）. The characterization of catalysts were thoroughly measured using transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, three- dimensional excitation-emission fluorescent matrix （EEFM） spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption, dynamic light- scattering （DLS）, zeta potential meter, and cyclic voltam- metry （CV）. The results demonstrated that at a temperature of 673K and an oxygen content of4%, approximately 99% of the NH3 was removed by catalytic oxidation over the nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-A12O3 catalyst. N2 was the main product in NH3-SCO process. Further, it reveals that the oxidation of NH3 was proceeds by the over-oxidation of NH3 into NO, which was conversely reacted with the NH3 to yield N2. Therefore, the application ofnanosized Pt-Rh/γ-A12O3 catalyst can significantly enhance the catalytic activity toward NH3 oxidation. One fluorescent peak for fresh catalyst was different with that of exhausted catalyst. It indicates that EEFM spectroscopy was proven to be an appropriate and effective method to characterize the Pt clusters in intrinsic emission from nanosized Pt-Rh/γ-A12O3 catalyst. Results obtained from the CV may explain the significant catalytic activity of the catalysts.

Identifying the major fluorescent components responsible for ultrafiltration membrane fouling in different water sources

Three-dimensional fluorescence excitation–emission matrix（EEM） coupled with parallel factor analysis（PARAFAC） was performed for a total of 18 water samples taken from three water sources（two lakes and one wastewater treatment plant（WWTP） secondary effluent）,with the purpose of identifying the major ultrafiltration（UF） membrane foulants in different water sources. Three fluorescent components（C1, C2 and C3） were identified,which represented terrestrially derived humic-like substances（C1）, microbially derived humic-like substances（C2）, and protein-like substances（C3）. The correlations between the different fluorescent components and UF membrane fouling were analyzed. It was shown that for the WWTP secondary effluent, all three components（C1, C2 and C3） made a considerable contribution to the irreversible and total fouling of the UF membrane.However, for the two lakes, only the C3 exhibited a strong correlation with membrane fouling, indicating that the protein-like substances were the major membrane foulants in the lake waters. Significant attachment of C1, C2 and C3 to the UF membrane was also confirmed by mass balance analyses for the WWTP secondary effluent; while the attachment of C1 and C2 was shown to be negligible for the two lakes. The results may provide basic formation for developing suitable fouling control strategies for sustainable UF processes.

Monthly survey of N-nitrosamine yield in a conventional water treatment plant in North China

A sampling campaign was conducted monthly to investigate the occurrence of N-nitrosamines at a conventional water treatment plant in one city in North China.The yield of N-nitrosamines in the treated water indicated precursors changed greatly after the source water switching.Average concentrations of N-nitrosodimethylamine（NDMA）,N-nitrosomorpholine（NMOR）,and N-nitrosopyrrolidine（NPYR） in the finished water were6.9,3.3,and 3.1 ng/L,respectively,from June to October when the Luan River water was used as source water,while those of NDMA,N-nitrosomethylethylamine（NMEA）,and NPYR in the finished water were 10.1,4.9,and 4.7 ng/L,respectively,from November to next April when the Yellow River was used.NDMA concentration in the finished water was frequently over the 10 ng/L,i.e.,the notification level of California,USA,which indicated a considerable threat to public health.Weak correlations were observed between N-nitrosamine yield and typical water quality parameters except for the dissolved organic nitrogen.

Assessing the dynamics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter(CDOM) in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in autumn by EEMs-PARAFAC

In this study we have successfully characterized the fluorescent components of chromophoric dissolved organic matter(CDOM) in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in autumn using excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy(EEMs) combined with parallel factor analysis(PARAFAC).PARAFAC aids the characterization of fluorescence CDOM by decomposing the fluorescence matrices into individual components.Four humic-like components(C1,C2,C3,and C4),one marine biological production component(C6),and two protein-like components(C5 and C7) were identified by PARAFAC.We researched the distributional patterns of fluorescence intensity,regression analyses between salinity,chlorophyll a concentration and fluorescence intensities of individual fluorophore,and regression analysis between salinity and fluorescence intensities percent of individual fluorophore.The results revealed that C2 and C4 showed conservative mixing behavior,while C1 and C3 possessed conservative mixing behavior in high salinity region and additional behavior in low and middle salinity region,which were considered to be derived from riverine and degradation of organic matter from resuspended and/or sinking particles and show non-conservative mixing behavior.In addition to riverine sources,the tryptophan-like C5 may receive widespread addition(likely from photo-degradation or biodegradation),while the most likely sources for the one marine humic-like C6 and tyrosine-like C7 were biological activity and microbial processing of plankton-derived CDOM,which were suggested to be of autochthonous origin and biologically labile.The application of EEM-PARAFAC modeling presents a unique opportunity to observe compositional changes,different mixing behavior and temporal variability in CDOM in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea.

Evidence on the causes of the rising levels of COD_(Mn) along the middle route of the South-to-North Diversion Project in China:The role of algal dissolved organic matter

As the biggest inter-basin water transfer scheme in the world,the South-to-North Water Diversion Project(SNWD) was designed to alleviate the water crisis in North China.The main channel of the middle route of the SNWD is of great concern in terms of the drinking water quality.In this study,we tested the hypothesis that the dissolved organic matter(DOM) derived from the planktonic algae causes the rising levels of COD_(Mn) along the middle route by monitoring data on water quality(2015-2019,monthly resolution).The results showed that algal density in the main channel increased along the channel and was significantly correlated with COD_(Mn)(p <0.01).Five fluorescent components of DOM,including tyrosine-like(14.85%),tryptophan-like(22.48%),microbial byproduct-like(26.34%),fulvic acid-like(11.41%),and humic acid-like(24.92%) components,were detected.The level of tyrosine-like components increased along the channel and was significantly correlated with algal density(p<0.01),indicating that algae significantly changed the level of DOM in the channel.Algal decomposition and metabolism were found to be the main mechanisms that drive the changes in COD_(Mn).Therefore,controlling algal density would be an important measure to prevent further increase in CODMn and for the guarantee of excellent water quality.

Chemical identification and genotoxicity analysis of petrochemical industrial wastewater

The actual harmful effects of industrial waste- water can not be reflected by the conventional water quality index. Therefore, the change in dissolved organic matter and the genetic toxicity of petrochemical waste- water were observed in the current study by examining the wastewater treatment plant of a large petrochemical enterprise in Northwest China. Using XAD-8, MSC, and DA-7 resins, the wastewater was separated into six fractions, namely, hydrophobic acid （HOA）, hydrophobic neutral （HOB）, hydrophobic alkaline, hydrophilic acid, hydrophilic alkaline, and hydrophilic neutral. Umu-test was used to detect the genetic toxicity of the wastewater samples, and fluorescence spectra were also obtained to examine genetic toxic substances. The results show that wastewater treatment facilities can effectively reduce the concentration of organic matter in petrochemical waste- water （p 〈 0.05）. However, the mixing of aniline waste- water can increase the amount of organic carbon （p 〈 0.05） and can overload facilities. This finding shows that the mixed collection and joint treatment of different types of petrochemical wastewater can affect the water quality of the effluent. Particularly, hydrophobic substances can be difficult to remove and account for a relatively large proportion of the effluent. The mixture of aniline waste- water can increase the genetic toxicity of the effluent （p〈0.05）, and biologic treatment can not effectively decrease the toxicity. Most of the genetic toxicology may exist in the HOA and HOB fractions. Fluorescence spectroscopy also confirms this result, and tryptophan- like substances may play an important role in genetic toxicity.

Transport and humification of dissolved organic matter within a semi-arid floodplain

In order to understand the transport and humification processes of dissolved organic matter（DOM） within sediments of a semi-arid floodplain at Rifle,Colorado,fluorescence excitation–emission matrix（EEM） spectroscopy,humification index（HIX） and specific UV absorbance（SUVA） at 254 nm were applied for characterizing depth and seasonal variations of DOM composition.Results revealed that late spring snowmelt leached relatively fresh DOM from plant residue and soil organic matter down into the deeper vadose zone（VZ）.More humified DOM is preferentially adsorbed by upper VZ sediments,while non-or lesshumified DOM was transported into the deeper VZ.Interestingly,DOM at all depths undergoes rapid biological humification process evidenced by the products of microbial by-product-like（i.e.,tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like） matter in late spring and early summer,particularly in the deeper VZ,resulting in more humified DOM（e.g.,fulvic-acid-like and humic-acid-like substances） at the end of year.This indicates that DOM transport is dominated by spring snowmelt,and DOM humification is controlled by microbial degradation,with seasonal variations.It is expected that these relatively simple spectroscopic measurements（e.g.,EEM spectroscopy,HIX and SUVA） applied to depth-and temporally-distributed pore-water samples can provide useful insights into transport and humification of DOM in other subsurface environments as well.