Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy has been used for the last two decades in dissolved organic matter (DOM) studies for characterisation of its sources, composition and reactivity in aquatic systems and determination of general water quality. Although a substantial progress has been made in fluorescence data acquisition, modelling and linking properties of fluorescent DOM with environmental variables, further studies, also from complementary DOM characterisation methods, are needed to improve process understanding of observed patterns.

The purpose of the session is to evaluate the current state-of-the-art of aquatic DOM-spectroscopic research, bring together the fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy research community and provide a platform for knowledge and best practice exchange. In particular there is a growing need to monitor the advances in application of fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy in characterisation of aquatic systems, understanding the origin, transformations and environmental fate of DOM in aquatic environments and identification of robust numerical and statistical tools for spectra processing, deconvolution and modelling. In particular, we invite comprehensive DOM studies providing independent lines of evidence from different DOM characterisation methods e.g. fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chromatography (HPLC, HPSEC).

We would like to welcome oral and poster contributions in the following research areas:

● Spectroscopic (fluorescence and absorbance) properties of DOM from natural (streams, lakes, estuaries and marine ecosystems) and engineered systems (drinking water treatment, distribution system, wastewater treatment),

● Sources and reactivity of fluorescent and coloured DOM in the environment including transformations along the freshwater to marine continuum,

● Fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy as a part of monitoring programmes and laboratory bioassays,

● In situ applications of fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy and CDOM and Tryptophan sensors for online water quality monitoring,

● Linking fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy with DOM molecular characterisation obtained with other analytical approaches such as size exclusion chromatography, resonance spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis and advanced mass spectrometry,

● Advanced spectroscopic data processing and modelling including spectroscopic indices, methods for EEMs and absorbance spectra deconvolution and component analysis.


Keynote lecture:
Professor Diane McKnight
Transport of dissolved organic matter from the hillslope to the stream: using fluorescence spectroscopy to identify changing sources during snowmelt

EGU 2014 fluorescence abstracts:
http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2014/orals/15261
http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2014/posters/15261