Environment & Agrochemistry

Raman spectroscopy being used more and more as environmental researchers and scientists experience its advantage over other analytical techniques. Being a vibrational spectroscopy technique, Raman spectra yield high information content, allowing accurate identification of organic and inorganic components. This is useful in identifying pollutants and contaminants in water since water does not interfere with Raman measurements. The ability to directly analyze and continuously monitor aqueous systems reduces the probability that analytes of interest will change prior to or during analysis. This advantage is lacking in other analytical techniques, such as UV absorbance spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy is also useful in agrochemistry, especially for the detection of perchlorate and other potentially harmful contaminants. Such an application applies to water for drinking, crop irrigation, and recreation, as well as fertilizer products. Besides detection, quantitative analysis of samples is also possible.

Selected Publications For Environmental/Agrochemical Applications:
  • Barnard, T. M. and N. E. Leadbeater. Real-time monitoring of microwave-promoted organometallic ligand-substitution reactions using in situ Raman spectroscopy. 2006. Chem Commun (Camb). 34:3615-6.
  • Chu, H. Liu, Y., Huang, Y. and Zhao, Y. A high sensitive fiber SERS probe based on silver nanorod arrays. Sept. 2007. Optics Express, 15 (19): 12230-12239.
  • Gu, B., Hatab, N.A., Eres, G., Retterer, S., Boss, P.A., and Hatzinger, P.B. 2008. A Portable Fiberoptic Surface Enhanced Raman Sensor for Real-Time Detection of Perchlorate and Energetics. Poster 178 presented at SERDP (Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program).
  • Leadbeater, N. E., Smith, R.J. and Barnard, T.M. Using in situ Raman monitoring as a tool for rapid optimisation and scale-up of microwave-promoted organic synthesis: esterification as an example. 2007. Org Biomol Chem. 5(5):822-5.
  • Nguyen, D., Wu. E. "Determination of Low Concentration Methanol in Alcohol," Spectroscopy Magazine, Feb. 2010; 15.
  • "Raman Analysis of Low Concentration Ions in Water," Spectroscopy Magazine, Sept. 2009; 17.