Journal of Spectroscopy
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 785406, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/785406

Research Article

Research on Fluorescence Spectroscopy Characteristics of Dissolved Organic Matter of Landfill Leachate in the Rear Part of Three Gorges Reservoir

Zhigang Xie and Wei Guan

College of Materials & Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China

Received 8 August 2014; Revised 7 September 2014; Accepted 8 September 2014

Academic Editor: Wen Zeng

Copyright © 2015 Zhigang Xie and Wei Guan. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Three-dimensional fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy analysis of the leachate dissolved organic matter (DOM) of the Three Gorges was reported in spring, summer, and autumn seasons, respectively. Studies show that, that organic matter of landfill leachate in Yongchuan, Dazu and Jiangjin is the class of　fulvic-like acid and protein-like fluorescence. The study also found that the longer the time of the pile of garbage, the lower the content of class of protein-like concentration, and the higher the concentration of fulvic-like acid, indicating that the protein waste material in the humification process is easy degradation. However, the same source of DOM is similar in the functional group composition and molecular structure. Characteristic frequency area analysis showed that humic acids (HA), and fulvic acids (FA) contain more than hydrophilic organic matter (HyI) aromatic ring structure, and FA aromatic ring structure is the most. Because of Chung-amide NH deformation vibration, there are strong absorption peaks in the 1562~1572 cm⁻¹ for various components; HyI contains many organic nitrogen compounds and fatty acids.

1. Introduction

Chinese major cities’ living garbage is given priority to kitchen waste, its organic matter composition is high, calorific value matter content is little, the moisture content is high, making landfill leachate water amount large, and water contained more organic pollutants [1, 2]. DOM in landfill leachate comes from landfill organic matter biodegradation, which is similar to the degradation of organic matter in the soil. DOM refers to organic matter retained in water after filtering through the 0.45 um film. Generally, in leachate DOM can be divided into three ingredients such as HA, FA, and HyI. HA and FA in waste leachate are known as humic substances (HS).

Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), pyrolysis + GC-MS, and other analysis technology are widely used in chemistry to determine structure and functional characteristics of organic matter [3–8]. Many researchers in other disciplines at home and abroad applied these for chemical structure characteristics analysis of hydrophilic organic matter, humic acid, and fulvic acids of natural water body or soil. At present, there are also some abroad researchers who carry out these techniques to study chemical structure and functional characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the landfill leachate [9–12]. In order to further understand the chemical properties of organic matter in leachate, the most prevalent method is ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. In domestic, the related research reports about this technology used in leachate organic matter are rare. However, three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum can be used to characterize the leachate DOM and organic fluorophores specific information can be obtained; infrared spectroscopy can be further used to characterize the structure characteristics of DOM rapidly.

The reports of three-dimensional fluorescence and infrared spectrum used to study the characteristics of waste leachate quality are very rare and those combined with two kinds of spectral technology in molecular level study landfill leachate are rarely reported. In order to understand physical and chemical characteristics and their seasonal variation of landfill leachate, three-dimensional fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectra, and elemental are used to characterize rear parts of the Three Gorges for the leachate DOM. It has a positive guiding significance on developing landfill leachate treatment technology and on studying the landfill leachate influence on environment.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Sample Collection

Landfill leachate samples were collected from leachate equalization basin of domestic waste treatment plant in Yongchuan, Jiangjin, and Dazu. The landfill times were 4, 5, and 6 years in these three sites, respectively. When water samples is brought to the laboratory, it is immediately centrifuged under the condition of 12000 r/min for 10 min, followed by supernatant filtration with 0.45 μm microporous membrane, and the organic matter in filtrate is the DOM. The basic physical and chemical parameters of water samples are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Water quality parameters landfill leachate.

Season
Region
pH
COD
UV₂₅₄

Spring
Yongchuan
8.0
5162
123.9
1.857

Jiangjin
8.2
5225
139.5
2.667

Dazu
8.2
5045
74.2
1.310

Summer
Yongchuan
8.3
3918
66.4
2.784

Autumn
Yongchuan
7.9
2255
28.1
1.777

Jiangjin
8.5
2332
29.2
2.680

Dazu
8.3
3668
46.8
1.125

2.2. Enrichment and Separation of the DOM

XAD-8 resins are adopted to enrich and to separate DOM in leachate, namely, HA, FA, and HyI. XAD-8 resins are widely used in the enrichment and separation of DOM in sewage and natural water [13–16]. Separation step is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Separation procedures to fractionate DOM in leachate.

Water amount relationship is recorded before and after the enrichment and separation, and the water samples are stored separately at 4°C in refrigerator. Some water samples are taken out to freeze and to dry. Freeze drier, manufactured at Beijing Boyikang Experimental Instrument Co., Ltd., with working condition temperature less than −50°C and pressure less than 20 Pa, was used to analyze HA, FA, and HyI after freeze drying.

2.3. Three-Dimensional Fluorescence Spectrum Analysis

Fluorescence spectrum determined by HITACHI F-7000 fluorescence spectrophotometer. Instrument light source is 150 W xenon lamp, and photomultiplier tube voltage is 700 V. Excitation and emission monochromator are diffraction grating, and excitation and emission slit width is 5 nm. Excitation light wavelength range is 200~450 nm, and emitting light wavelength range is 250~550 nm. Data are processed with Sigmaplot software and are characterized by contour line diagram, with reference to ultrapure water as blank correction on basis of the Raman scattering of water.

2.4. Infrared Spectrum Analysis

Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was adapted in infrared spectrum analysis. 1~2 mg freeze dried HA, FA, HyI, and intact samples from landfill leachate are taken and are mixed with about 300 mg KBr (spectrum pure). These samples are ground to the fine particles and are blended to the particle size of smaller than 2 um. These are pressed to flakiness in (5~10) × 10⁷ pa for 1 min. FTIR-8400 spectrometer scan is used in the range of 4000~1200 cm⁻¹, and the spectrum is measured and recorded.

3. Results and Analysis

3.1. Three-Dimensional Fluorescence Spectrum of Leachate DOM

Different DOM has different fluorescent groups. Our previous research [17] suggests that the three-dimensional fluorescence characteristic of wastewater DOM is shown in Table 2. Fulvic-like fluorescence (Peak A and Peak C) is relevant with carbonyl and carboxyl of humus structure [18–22]. However, protein-like fluorescence (Peak D, Peak B, Peak S, and Peak T) is relevant with amino acid structure [17, 23–26].

Table 2: Major fluorescence peak for DOM.

Peak
Ex/nm
Em/nm
Matter

I
350~440
430~510
Humic-like

A
240~270
370~440
UV fulvic-like

C
310~360
370~450
Vis fulvic-like

D
220~230
280~310
Low-excitation wavelength tyrosine-like

B
270~280
280~310
High-excitation wavelength tyrosine-like

S
220~230
320~350
Low-excitation wavelength tryptophan-like

T
270~280
320~350
High-excitation wavelength tryptophan-like

The position and intensity of fluorescence peak are different. Figure 2 is partial diagram of the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of landfill leachate DOM. Table 3 shows the fluorescence and fluorescence intensity of percolate DOM.

Table 3: Fluorescence types and intensity of dissolved organic matter.

Samples
Peak I
Peak A
Peak C
Peak D
Peak B
Peak S
Peak T

Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.
Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.
Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.
Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.
Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.
Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.
Ex/Em 
nm
/a.u.

Yongchuan 
spring
356/439
2515
254/448
1806
311/403
2898
227/310
395.3
275/304
1922
230/349
689.9
284/352
2373

Yongchuan 
summer

250/450
2446
315/405
2671
225/305
654.3
275/305
3503
225/335
1419
275/330
3620

Yongchuan 
autumn

251/442
2532
323/412
2080

224/328
4032
278/328
4693

Jiangjin 
spring

251/436
1574
326/406
3356

275/307
1636
230/337
1758
278/337
3515

Jiangjin 
autumn

251/448
2875
332/412
3901

227/337
4370
281/337
4056

Dazu 
spring

250/435
2476
330/405
3314

230/334
1531
280/355
2104

Dazu 
autumn

251/448
2414
326/409
2085

227/337
3392
278/337
2871

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

Figure 2: Three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum of organic matter in different landfill leachate. Note. Spring—(a) Yongchuan; (b) Jiangjin; (c) Dazu. Summer—(d) Yongchuan. Autumn—(e) Yongchuan; (f) Jiangjin; (g) Dazu (all 10 times diluted).

According to Figure 2, for spring landfill leachate, the fluorescence peak type of Yongchuan includes fulvic-like acid (visible region, UV region, resp.), high excitation wavelength tryptophan-like, high excitation wavelength tyrosine-like, and humic acid. The fluorescence peak of low excitation wavelength tryptophan-like and low excitation wavelength tyrosine-like is weak. Leachate fluorescence peak type of Spring Jiangjin is visible fulvic-like acid, high excitation wavelength tryptophan-like, UV fulvic-like acid, high excitation wavelength tyrosine-like, and high excitation wavelength tryptophan-like, respectively. The leachate fluorescence peak type of Dazu and Jiangjin is similar. The UV fulvic-like acid fluorescence intensity of Dazu is stronger than that of Jiangjin, and the high excitation wavelength tryptophan-like fluorescence intensity of Dazu is weaker than that of Jiangjin. There is no humic-like fluorescence peak in percolate of Dazu and Jiangjin; maybe it is related to longer landfill time.

We test the dissolved organic matter of summer Yongchuan landfill leachate. The fluorescence peak type includes ultraviolet fulvic-like acid, visible fulvic-like acid, high excitation wavelength tyrosine-like, and high excitation wavelength tryptophan-like.

The fluorescence peak type of autumn landfill leachate includes UV fulvic-like acid, visible fulvic-like acid, high excitation wavelength tryptophan-like, and low excitation wavelength tryptophan-like. The strongest fluorescence peak is Yongchuan infiltration fluorescence intensity of filtrate is strong, and Dazu infiltration fluorescence intensity of filtrate is weak.

Leachate fulvic-like fluorescence (including visible and ultraviolet region) is related to the carbonyl and carboxyl groups in humus structure. Protein-like fluorescence is related to aromatic amino acid structure. The study of three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that the dissolved organic matter of landfill leachate of Three Gorges Reservoir (Yongchuan, Jiangjin, and Dazu) mainly includes organics with aromatic amino acid structure and organics with carbonyl and carboxyl groups.

Fluorescent intensity of proteins in landfill leachate decreased with the increase of landfill time, while the trend of fulvic-like acid is opposite. This indicated that with the prolonged time of the landfill, microorganisms become more active, and degradation of organic matter is more obvious. With the increase of landfill time, there are obvious red shifts in fluorescence peak. This result indicated that, during the stacking process, except for the degradation of organic matter, microbial would break down proteins to produce small organic molecules. Thus, landfill proteins fluorescence intensity in the filtrate weakened, and fluorescence spectrum red shifted. The seasonal variations of leachate organic matter content are similar to the research of Coble [18], but the change magnitude is relatively small. However, the variation characteristics in spring and summer are inconsistent with Lou’s study results [19]. Lou considered that summer leachate organic matter content should be reduced due to the dilution effect of rainfall. Yongchuan leachate organic matter content increased in summer, the reason is that the influence of landfill leachate is complex, such as landfill landfill age, operation mode, climatic characteristics, and waste components. It is worth further studying these influencing factors.

3.2. Fluorescence Emission Spectrum of Leachate DOM

DOM is a complex mixture comprised of fluorescent groups. The band wide fluorescence peak is shown in Figure 3. Fluorescence intensity maximum at about 412 nm is obtained, and the fluorescence is made from unsaturated hydroxyl and carbonyl in the DOM. In spring, the fluorescence intensity of landfill leachate DOM at ex = 335 nm shows gradually increasing trend with landfill time, which is consistent with the result of three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum. However, the fluorescence intensity of Jiangjin leachate DOM in at ex = 335 nm is strong on the contrary. The reasons may be many, which is worthy of further exploration.

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: Fluorescence emission spectrum of DOM (Ex = 335 nm). Spring: Yongchuan (a), Jiangjin (b), and Dazu (c). Summer: Yongchuan (d). Autumn: Yongchuan (e), Jiangjin (f), and Dazu (g).

The fluorescence index f 450/500 can describe the humic acid in the water. The index f 450/500 = 1.4 indicates that the humic acid generated from land, f 450/500 = 1.9, indicates that the humic acid produced by organisms [20]. The index f 450/500 of Jiangjin, Yongchuan, and Dazu spring leachate is 3.0, 2.9, and 2.8, respectively. The index f 450/500 of summer Yongchuan is 2.7. The index f 450/500 of autumn of these three regions is 3.0, 2.8, and 2.8, respectively. These values (>1.9) indicate that humus leachate comes from organisms. The higher f 450/500 values reveal that humic substances aromatic is weak with less benzene ring structure. The fluorescence index increased with the decrease of landfill time. As the landfill time becomes longer, the contribution of microorganism to fluorescence increased.

3.3. Infrared Spectra of Landfill Leachate DOM

FTIR can provide more detailed organic matter information about chemical and functional group. Various kinds of compound functional group and characteristic frequency area are located in the area of 4000~1300 cm⁻¹. Vibration frequency is higher in this area, due to influence by the rest of small molecule. But different groups can form the interference, affecting the group’s judgment. And 1300~400 cm⁻¹ area is fingerprint region, in which a variety of functional groups do not have distinct characteristics, and it is strongly influenced by the molecular structure. Small changes of molecular structure can cause the obvious spectrum change in fingerprint region. In this study, organic constituent is relatively complex, and characteristics area is mainly used to identify the main functional groups. Each component landfill leachate infrared spectrum was shown in Figure 4, while the infrared spectrum of Yongchuan spring, summer, and autumn landfill DOM was shown Figure 5.

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 4: HA, FA, and HyI FTIR spectra from different landfill site. Notes: a—Yongchuan, b—Jiangjin, and c—Dazu.

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 5: HA, FA, and HyI FTIR spectra in different season site (Yongchuan).

Related infrared absorption peak of humic organic matter [27–29] shows that the absorption peak in 1735~1690 cm⁻¹ is stretching vibration of carboxyl (COOH) group and the C=O of ketone compounds in organic matter. The absorption peak in 1550~1515 cm⁻¹ is deformation vibration of N–H in nitrogen compounds, namely, the characteristic band II of amide compounds. The absorption peak in 1460~1450 cm⁻¹ is shear type asymmetric deformation of carbohydrates and aliphatic compounds –CH₂ group and asymmetric deformation vibration of C–H in aliphatic compounds –CH₃ groups. The absorption peak in 1430~1420 cm⁻¹ is deformation vibration of aliphatic compounds in the double bond or –CH₂ connected with carbonyl.

As described in Figure 4, in different seasons and the same landfill, HA and FA have similar spectrum characteristics, showing that the same source humus is more similar in functional groups and molecular structure. Different landfill site spectrum feature has greater difference, showing that different sources of humus in have great difference in functional groups and in molecular structure, and HyI spectrum has little difference.

IR analysis showed that the components of different molecular weight in terms of functional group and the molecular structure are relatively similar, but the same molecular weight of each components spectrum feature has greater differences, whereas the composition of different landfills is similar. All ingredients in 1637~1644 cm⁻¹ area have a strong stretching vibration of C=C in aromatic ring skeleton, and the absorption intensity of HA and FA in this area is stronger than HyI and that of FA is larger than that of HA. It shows that HA and FA contain more aromatic ring structure. The absorption degree of HA and FA composition in Dazu and Jiangjin is greater than that in Yongchuan. It shows that both Dazu and Jiangjin contain more aromatic ring structure. FA contains more aromatic ring structure than HA, and it is higher in autumn than in spring and in summer. In all regions, HA and FA spectrum are similar, and both in 1562~1572 cm⁻¹ area have a strong and apparent absorption peak. This should be deformation vibration of N–H in secondary amide. In addition, in the 1402 cm⁻¹ area HyI also has a strong absorption peak, which is shear type asymmetric deformation of carbohydrates and aliphatic compounds –CH₂ group and contraction vibration of N–H in amide compounds. HyI in 1630 cm⁻¹ area has strong absorption. HyI composition absorption intensity in Dazu is greater than the other two. In the organic matter, the concentration of N elements is very high; it should be shear type vibration absorption peak of a –NH₂ in primary amide, and this is amide characteristic peak II. In different places, HyI components in leachate at 1400~1420 cm⁻¹ area all have very strong absorption peak; this is because the C=O stretching vibration absorption.

According to Figure 5, the spectroscopic characteristic of FA and HyI in same landfill with different season is similar, except for the absorption peak position. This result indicated that the functional group and molecular structure of same source of fulvic acid and hydrophilic organic matter are similar. The obvious difference of HA atlas indicated that the structure and composition of humic acid affect the degradation of humus.

4. Conclusions

From the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum analysis of garbage leachate, it is concluded that the characteristic peak type, position, and fluorescence intensity of landfill leachate organic matter in different landfill leachate are different season and different region. In different landfill, leachate DOM structure is different that is mainly embodied in leachate. HA proportion in Yongchuan is greater than that in other regions, and FA and HyI regional difference is not large.

Three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of the landfill leachate varied with rubbish stacking time. The longer the waste stacking time, the lower the protein in leachate concentration, and the higher the fulvic-like acid concentration. It shows that the protein material in the garbage is easily degraded in the process of humification, and it humified and produced all sorts of humus. These have some guiding significance in landfill leachate treatment.

Infrared spectrum analysis shows that, in the same area among different components, they have similar spectrum characteristics. It indicates that the same source humus in terms of functional group and molecular structure is relatively similar. Characteristic frequency area analysis shows that FA contains more aromatic ring structure than HA. In autumn there is more aromatic ring structure. Due to deformation vibration of N–H in secondary amide, all the components in 1562~1572 cm⁻¹ area has a very intense and obvious absorption peak. HyI contains a lot of nitrogen compounds and fatty acid organic matter.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

The present work was financially supported by Scientific Research Fund, Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (no. KJ111203), and Construction Science and Technology Project of Chongqing (2011-2-115).

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