Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (FEEM/PARAFAC) was applied to characterise natural organic matter (NOM) present in nitrified and non-nitrified waters from different sampling sites in a drinking water distribution system in Australia. Each excitation-emission matrix (EEM) data set of nitrified and non-nitrified water samples were successfully decomposed into a three component PARAFAC model (C-1, C-2, and C-3). The spectral shapes of these components were compared with those identified earlier in other studies from the OpenFluor database. While C-1 and C-2 exhibited similar fluorescence spectra in both non-nitrified and nitrified sampling locations, there were some fluorescence peaks in C-3 for nitrified water samples that were not present in non-nitrified water samples. Both C-1 and C-2 in each PARAFAC model for nitrified and non-nitrified water samples showed striking similarities with components previously listed as humic-like compounds. While C-3 for non-nitrified water samples also consisted of terrestrial humic-like compounds, C-3 in PARAFAC model for nitrified water samples represented protein-like material produced as a result of microbiological activity. The fluorescence peaks that appeared only in nitrified sampling locations are related to the formation of microbial-like compounds associated with nitrification. These results indicate that PARAFAC modelling of EEM data can be used to investigate nitrification and water quality changes in chloraminated drinking water distribution systems.

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chloraminated drinking water distribution proteinlike parallel factor analysis nitrified and nonnitrified water samples three component parafac model terrestrial fluorescence excitationemission matrix eem data set excitationemission matrix spectroscopy microbiallike compounds parafac modelling of eem data natural organic matter c2 c1

David Cook,Sina Moradi, Christopher W.K. Chow, Emma Sawade, Rupak Aryal, John van Leeuwen, Mary Drikas, Rose Amal,.Tracking changes in organic matter during nitrification using fluorescence excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (FEEM/PARAFAC). (),.

David Cook, et al."Tracking changes in organic matter during nitrification using fluorescence excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (FEEM/PARAFAC)"

David Cook,Sina Moradi, Christopher W.K. Chow, Emma Sawade, Rupak Aryal, John van Leeuwen, Mary Drikas, Rose Amal,"Tracking changes in organic matter during nitrification using fluorescence excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (FEEM/PARAFAC)"