Naphthenic Acids in
process-affected waters in Canada are also well known to fluoresce at
specific wavelengths even at low concentrations (10% process water)
which can be used to determine the extent of NA contamination of
water bodies.
Source:
Ewanchuk
2010
These waters exhibit a
characteristic peak in the UV-B range at 290 nanometers (nm)
excitation and emit in the UV-A range at about 346 nm.i
While this may sound complicated, it simply means that samples will
glow like a beacon at a specific, measurable frequency when exposed
to particular wavelength of ultraviolet light. Although this
signature is unique to tar sands pollution and the detection methods
are well-established, the EPA did not order fluorescence spectroscopy
analysis of the original samples. Of course, Exxon has not revealed
the results of any fluorescence analysis which might show that Lake
Conway had been contaminated by tar sands oil.
i
Ewanchuk, A.M., A.C. Ulrich, D. Sego, 2010 Parallel Factor
Analysis of Process Affected Water
Univ.
of Alberta, Edmonton
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