Use of a CCD-monitored chemiluminescence imaging for sensing of the UV-and ozone-induced degradation of humus substances

The single photoelectron counting imaging technique of ultraweak chemiluminescence accompanying oxidative degradation reactions of humus substances under the influence of detrimental environmental physical and chemical factors is described. A new type of a slow scan charge coupled device camera Molecular Light Imager was applied to quantify the spatial distribution of the ultraweak chemiluminescence from natural and model humic acids and mineral soil components (silica gel) exposed to UV-C, UV+VIS radiation, ozone and acid rains. The transformation algorithm was elaborated to obtain the state of the art. pseudocolored images and quantification of the intensity and kinetics and to elucidate mechanisms of the studied processes as well as their environmental significance.