Spectroscopy In Environmental Science

Spectroscopy is a powerful tool commonly used in various fields for a wide range of applications. Environmental safety is an important aspect of a healthy environment. The spectrophotometer is an affordable method widely used in various applications of environmental science that helps in the analysis of the natural environment. This analysis helps to take preventive and protective measures to keep our environment safe.

Water is the most crucial thing in the environment for life. Water contamination is the most important thing to be considered in large for a safe environment. Compared with the various analysis method UV Visible spectrophotometer is the more adaptable versatile method for water analysis.

Read more: Spectrophotometer Design

Spectrophotometric Analysis of Bacterial Contaminants

There are various contaminants present in the water, the bacterial contamination of water is of greater concern. Even though the standard methods are effective, it is a time-consuming method that takes nearly two days for the complete analysis. 

Recent developments in UV-Vis spectroscopy measure light absorption to quantify and analyze the concentration of bacteria present in the water samples accurately. This process provides immediate results. This spectrophotometer is portable and cost-effective making it a leading choice in the analytical instrumentation of water safety analysis.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is constantly looking for the best ways to measure contaminants in the drinking water. Recent developments in UV-VIS spectroscopy offer more information and details about the quality of water and its safety. As spectrophotometers measure the absorption of light both in ultra violet-Visible and near-Infrared regions make spectroscopy is well suited for environmental studies.

Spectrophotometers for chlorine and fluoride quantification

Water chlorination helps to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microbes in the water. Chlorine in water act as the best disinfectant that prevents water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. The level of chlorine present in the water is to be monitored accurately. Since high chlorine levels in water may lead to long-term health issues. 

Chlorine residue in water is of two forms and is commonly referred to as ‘free chlorine’ or ‘combine chlorine’ residuals. UV-VIS spectroscopy is an effective method to determine the different types of chlorine residues. This identification of different chlorine is crucial because free residual chlorine is used effectively when detected in the drinking water. 

Fluoride is another common additive present in drinking water. UV-Vis spectrophotometer is the best analytical technique to quantify the level of fluoride effectively. According to WHO (World Health Organisation), the standard level of fluoride in drinking water is 0.5–1 ppm for safety. 

Inorganic fluoride compounds are used in a wide range of various industries for various purposes. Fluorine is used in aluminium production and it is also used as a flux in steel and glass fibre industries. In the production of phosphate fertilizers, bricks, tiles, and ceramics, fluorine is released into the environment. 

The common municipal water fluoridation schemes (IARC,1982; IPCs,2002) use fluorosilicic acid, sodium hexafluorosilicate, and sodium fluoride. Increased levels of fluoride in drinking water can result in health issues such as dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis which can damage the bones and joints.

UV/Vis spectrophotometer enables detection of the level of fluoride in the drinking water and allows to use it safely and effectively. This analysis with a spectrophotometer provides an easy, non-destructive, and effective method for detection. 

This helps the environment specialists to determine the level of fluoride in the drinking water such that preventive measures are taken that they do not exceed the safer levels.

UV-Vis Spectroscopy for Geological Studies Related  to Water Contamination

Geologists are also constantly looking for the best tool in the area of environmental research. The spectral analysis provides accurate data to create unique reflectance data of minerals and compounds found in nature. This unique spectral data enables the determination of the geological elements and also provides information on the possible contamination in rivers, oceans, lakes, and streams.

Geologists use UV- Vis spectrophotometers to analyze the environmental impact of mining in natural water resources. The trace level of contamination is also detected with a spectrophotometer. This helps to find the harmful acid-producing mine residuals to take immediate protective measures. 

Benefits of UV-Vis spectrophotometry

UV-Vis spectrophotometry has developed with a lot of advancements over the past several decades. Advancements in technology have resulted in easy-to-use, accurate, and reliable tools in analytical research. These techniques are adopted in various areas of scientific research and have great importance, especially in the field of biomedical and environmental engineering.

As spectrophotometer do not disturb and make any change to the nature of the sample, it is widely used for various application in environmental science. This spectrophotometer that measures the absorption of light by the sample, is highly adaptable to measure specific needs.

Read more : How Does a Modern UV-Vis Spectrophotometer Work?

Conclusion

Spectrophotometers plays important role in the scientific research of various industries in many fields. Environmental science, where the natural resources are analyzed scientifically for a safe environment. Water analysis is one of the crucial analyses made with a spectrophotometer for a safe environment. 

Various spectroscopy techniques are used to keep the environment safer. Researchers believe that spectroscopy is one of the best analytical techniques for quantitative analysis to preserve the environment.