A fiber optic evanescent field absorption sensor for monitoring organic contaminants in water

Summary A fiber optic chemical sensor for determination of organic compounds in aqueous solution has been developed. Based on the evanescent field principle, a quartz glass fiber with a polysiloxane cladding is used as in-situ measuring probe. A compact sensor built from a 6-m coiled fiber has been connected to a commercially available fast scanning dispersive NIR spectrometer. The siloxane cladding fulfils two functions: on the one hand, it acts as protecting layer of the fragile silica fiber core, and on the other hand, it is selective with respect to non-polar organic compounds due to its organophilic properties. Hence, interactions of the evanescent field at the core/cladding interface with organic species penetrating into the cladding can be measured without interferences from broad water OH absorption bands. Aqueous solutions of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents (CHS) have been used to test the sensor response. NIR evanescent field absorbance spectra of methylene chloride, chloroform and trichloroethylene diffused into the fiber cladding are shown in the 900–2100 nm spectral range. Different amounts of CHCl₃ dissolved in water have been determined in order to evaluate the quantitative sensor response. A linear absorbance/concentration relationship has been found for solutions between 80–6800 mg l^–1. Kinetic experiments performed with CHCl₃ solutions resulted in sensor response times of 5–10 min. The sensor seems to be promising for the remote monitoring of organic contaminants, e.g. CHS, in drainage waters of contaminated areas.