Compact and advanced laser spectrometer for water quality analysis

Luca FioraniLuca FioraniDiagnostics and Metrology LaboratoryDiagnostics and Metrology LaboratoryENEA ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development)Energy and Sustainable Economic Development)

Transnational Workshop “Efficient Management of Water Resources”Transnational Workshop “Efficient Management of Water Resources”EcoMondo 2010EcoMondo 2010Rimini, November 4, 2010Rimini, November 4, 2010

CASPERCASPER

• CASPER: Compact and Advanced laser SPEctrometer for Riade (RIADE was an Italian project to combat desertification)

Patent and prizePatent and prize

• CASPER has been patented in 2005• CASPER resulted the first classified project of the

“Research and Innovation Prize 2005” awarded by “BIC Lazio” (Business Innovation Center Latium) and “Regione Lazio” (Latium Regional Government)

PrinciplePrinciple

• Laser induced fluorescence (LIF)– Emission spectrum of Synecochoccus leopoliensis

excited at 355 nm

400 450 500 550 600 650 700 7500

500

1000

1500

2000

Chlorophylls

Phycocyanin

Phycoeritrin

Carotenoids Water Raman

LIF

inte

nsit

y [r

el. u

n.]

Wavelength [nm]

InnovationInnovation

• Double filtration (30 and 0.2 μm)– Discrimination of particulate and dissolved matter

• Double excitation (266 and 405 nm)– Detection of oils, PAH and proteins (266) and CDOM,

chl-a and other algal pigments (405)

HardwareHardware

Spectrometers

Nd:YAGLaser

DiodeLaser

Cuvettes

Filters

Power supplyPumps & valves

USB hub

Water in & out

RS232

Opticalfibers

SoftwareSoftware

• Remote control– Battery, lasers, shutters, pumps and valves are controlled

from the laptop (left)• Data acquisition

– Spectra are acquired from the laptop (right)

Emission spectraEmission spectra

• CDOM– Sensitivity: about 0.1 mg/l

• Chl-a– Sensitivity: about 0.1 μg/l

Excited at 266 nm Excited at 405 nm

The chl-a peak disappears after

ultrafiltration

Data analysisData analysis

• Peak position of spectral bands in the LIF signal

Sicily Campaign 2005Sicily Campaign 2005

• Licata and Siracusa, May 22 – 27, 2005– 81 samplings: GPS, conductivity, temperature, pH, chl-a

and CDOM (CASPER)

Sicily Campaign 2005Sicily Campaign 2005

• Chl-a– Licata, May 22 – 25, 2005

Sicily Campaign 2005Sicily Campaign 2005

• CDOM– Licata, May 22 – 25, 2005

Sicily Campaign 2005Sicily Campaign 2005

• CDOM and conductivity (salinity)

irrigationsea intrusion

Conductivity

CDOM

OceanographyOceanography

• CASPER has been deployed in four oceanographic campaigns (Arctic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea)

CHLCHL retrieved by CASPER retrieved by CASPER during AREX 2006 (black during AREX 2006 (black

crosses: sampling crosses: sampling stations)stations)

R/V OceaniaR/V Oceania

ConclusionsConclusions

• CASPER, an innovative laser spectrofluorometer, has been developed at the ENEA Research Center in Frascati (patent and prize)

• CASPER operated during a field campaign in Sicily (May 22 – 27, 2005) • CASPER data improved our understanding of salinization and desertification• CASPER has also been deployed in oceanographic campaigns• CASPER is now exploited by the Sardinian spin-off “Intrega” (commercial agreement

with ENEA)

luca.fiorani@enea.it

BLA, BLA, BLA…

Thanks for the attention!Thanks for the attention!