Europium complexes investigations in natural waters by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence Original Research Article

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (TRLIF) has been used to investigate Eu complexes formed with inorganic and organic ligands encountered in natural waters as well as Eu complexes formed during the interaction of simulated nuclear waste glass with claywater. By comparing spectral and temporal data obtained by TRLIF on various europium solutions containing humic acids (HA) and carbonates (CO3), it has been possible to confirm the presence of mixed europium complexes such as Eu–CO3–HA. These results are quite important for speciation purposes, in particular in the framework of environmental studies.