Spectroscopic Characterization of Fulvic Acid Fractions of a Contaminated Groundwater

Abstract

Two fulvic acid (FA) samples taken from a former gas production facility in the Southwest of Germany were characterized using advanced fluorescence techniques. Steady-state fluorescence (fluorescence excitation, synchronous fluorescence) as well as time-resolved fluorescence were applied. Distinct differences between the sample B22 FA taken within the contamination plume and the sample B53 FA taken downstream were found. Comparison with a model compound for metabolites and humic substances revealed that due to the downstream passage the characteristics of the dissolved organic matter became more humic-like. The assignment of single classes of compounds in the sample B22 FA is discussed in terms of their synchronous fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay time distribution.