Determining eosin as a groundwater migration tracer by capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence using a multiwavelength laser

Measurements for determining of the path of groundwater migration remain an important tool in the overall assessment of environmental processes and transport of pollutants. This paper examines a multiwavelength laser for the determination of eosin, a groundwater tracer, using capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) at excitation wavelength 514.5 nm. Eosin was one of four dyes used in a study of adjacent resource conservation and recovery act (RCRA) and Superfund sites (created by the comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act) that routinely relied on spectrofluorimetry for determination as we have previously reported. However, the improved specificity of CE-LIF is further illustrated in this work applied to the analysis of adsorbent pads placed in monitoring wells after dye injection and flushing from injection wells. The multiwavelength laser provided the capability to analyze for several dyes with one laser. The advantages/disadvantages of CE-LIF versus spectrofluorimetry are discussed. Spectrofluorimetry is fast and sensitive and will likely continue to be the primary workhorse technique. CE-LIF could provide confirmation when greater specificity is needed in a regulatory context.