A Compact Fluorescence-Scattering System

"An innovative flow through system with independent sensing units to determine the scattering and fluorescence properties of particulate and dissolved matter is proposed. Near-forward and near-backward scattering will be measured using a highlycollimated 660nm diode laser beam, and a set of CCD-Shutter-systems positioned such that the light beam axis intersects their center. Two CCD arrays will be used to determine the Volume Scattering Function (VSF) from 0 to 5 deg (near-forward) and from175 to 180 deg (near-backward) with 0.005 deg resolution. Using a CCD will allow continuous monitoring of the quality of the beam and consequently provide the ability to correct for misalignments while the instrument is operating. In addition it willsimplify calibration. This will allow measurement of the beam attenuation of the water flowing through the system. Fluorescence measurements will be performed using a short-arc high energy, UV flash. The spectral emission of the natural dissolved andparticulate fluorochromes, will be measured using a miniature spectrometer diode array module. The Compact Fluorescence-Scattering System (FSS) will be field deployable and capable of functioning as an autonomous unit on different environmental platformsor as a bench-top instrument. The versatility, compactness and low cost of the proposed system will facilitate its application in any environmental context to monitor water quality, such as