Tunable UV-laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of trace plastic compounds dissolved in seawater

Summary form only given. UV-laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy is a well-known technique to detect and measure trace compounds in the air or in liquids. A new fluorescence technique called excitation-emission matrix (EEM) provides enhanced identification of one compound among others by tuning the excitation wavelength and measuring the emitted fluorescence spectrum over a wide spectral range. We show an EEM spectrum of a trace compound (11.2 mg/L of diethylphthalate) dissolved in seawater obtained with a cw xenon light spectrometer as the excitation source.