Aqualog-Next

The HORIBA Aqualog-Next is a specialized optical spectrometer combining simultaneous UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) measurement in a single acquisition, purpose-built for the analysis of water samples, dissolved organic matter (DOM), and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). The simultaneous acquisition of absorbance and fluorescence EEM data is a key feature: it allows automatic inner filter correction (IFC) to be applied to the fluorescence EEM in real time, removing the spectral distortion caused by sample absorbance that is ubiquitous in natural water samples. This makes the Aqualog-Next uniquely suited for quantitative fluorescence EEM analysis of natural water samples without the need for sample dilution that would alter the original sample composition. The instrument enables rapid parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) decomposition and fluorescence regional integration (FRI) to identify and quantify specific DOM fluorophore components: protein-like (tryptophan, tyrosine), humic-like, and fulvic-like components that serve as indicators of water quality, contamination, and organic matter source. Applications include drinking water treatment optimization, wastewater treatment monitoring, natural water body monitoring, and tracing of sewage/agricultural runoff contamination. The Aqualog-Next also enables dissolved organic carbon (DOC) surrogates via fluorescence indices. The system is compatible with flow-through cells for online or at-line water quality monitoring. NewRoad provides the HORIBA Aqualog-Next in Israel for environmental monitoring, water utilities, and research institutions studying water quality and DOM dynamics.