Three Dimensional Fluorescence Spectra of DOM in the Incineration Plant leachate

Three Dimensional emission and excitation emission matrix (3DEEM) fluorescence spectra were used to characterize the dissolved organic matter (DOM) of controlled tip leachate and effluents of the leachate biochemical treatment process of one incineration plant in Three Gorges Reservoir Region. Tyrosine-like, tryptophan-like and UV fulvic-like are found in the DOM of the leachate. Landfill fluorescence properties are characterized by intense fluorescence at Ex=272 nm, and Em=301 nm which we suggest being high-excitation wavelength tyrosine-like which is different from the former research. The cause of the above difference may correlate with the landfill age. Fluorescence index f_450/500 over 1.9 from different sampling sites shows that the humic acid is derived from microorganisms. The central position and intensity of the characteristic fluorescence peaks of landfill leachate in the treatment process vary significantly. In the biochemical treatment process, Protein-like fluorescence intensity was reduced 61.4%~92.1%, while UV fulvic-like fluorescence intensity was only reduced 37.4%. The results show protein-like has better biodegradability compared with fulvic-like. The 3D fluorescence Spectra can provide the information of the variations about the pollutant species, composition and concentration in leachate treatment process.