Chromophoric dissolved organic matter influence correction of algal concentration measurements using three-dimensional fluorescence spectra

Abstract In view of the adverse effects of CDOM (chromophoric or colored dissolved organic matter) on in vivo algal pigment concentration measurements in natural water bodies, a CDOM influence correction method for algal concentration measurements based on three-dimensional fluorescence spectra is investigated. The three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of five common species of algae belonging to five categories, HA (humic acid), and natural water sampled from the Dongpu reservoir, Hefei were analyzed, and the spectral similarity of endogenous/exogenous CDOM in the algal fluorescence spectra region was compared. HA was selected to represent the CDOM spectrum group. The CDOM modified algal pigment concentration measurement method was developed using three-dimensional fluorescence spectra coupled with non-negative weighted least squares linear regression analysis. The results show that under the presence of CDOM interference factors, the recognition accuracy rate of Pyrrophyta , Bacillariophyta , Cyanophyta , and Chlorophyta increased 100%, 100%, 40%, and 40%, respectively. The average recovery rate of Cryptomonas , Pyrrophyta , Bacillariophyta , and Chlorophyta increased 162.7%, 50.3%, 106.4%, and 19.1%, respectively. In addition, the classification accuracy of Pyrrophyta , Bacillariophyta , Cyanophyta , Chlorophyta increased 83.9%, 100%, 38.2%, and 48%, respectively. This was concluded by comparing these results with the results of the algal pigment concentration measurement method without the CDOM modification. This study provides an experimental basis for the development of accurate phytoplankton fluorescence classification monitoring technology.