UV Autofluorescence Spectroscopy for Cyanobacteria Monitoring and Discrimination in Source Water

An analytical technique allowing a distinction between cyanobacteria and other microscopic life forms that exploits autofluorescence in the deep ultraviolet has been developed. The proposed approach is based on the amplitude of relative fluorescence peaks of natural pigments or metabolites in unicellular microorganisms commonly present in the waters. The experimental results showed a clear distinction between cyanobacteria and other planktonic species. This approach has been applied to an aquaponics system receiving input water from the Drennec lake, in France, correctly detecting the presence of cyanobacteria.