Addressing Environmental Challenges
Around the world, ecosystems face increasing threats from industrialization, rapid urbanization, growing populations, and climate change. These pressures have significant health, social, and economic implications. As a result, researchers, scientists, and governments are ramping up efforts to monitor and mitigate environmental hazards.
Spectroscopy plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring and protection. With growing demands to detect and trace chemical contaminants, especially organic compounds, spectroscopy offers a versatile and effective solution.
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Learn more about spectroscopy applications in the environmental market
Key Environmental Applications for Spectroscopy
Contamination Monitoring
The detection of contaminants in groundwater, air, soil, and other products is of critical environmental concern. Real-time, in-situ analysis not only detects the presence of pollutants but also identifies and quantifies them quickly. Spectroscopy offers a range of measurement techniques tailored to different types of contaminants. For instance:
- Fluorescence spectroscopy: Ideal for detecting hydrocarbon pollutants
- Raman spectroscopy: Excels in identifying organic compounds
- Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: Effective in processing nuclear material
- Absorbance spectroscopy: Ideal for water quality monitoring in coastal areas
Each technique provides valuable insights into different environmental applications, enabling more comprehensive contamination analysis.
The AvaSpec-ULS2048CL-EVO, and our newest AvaSpec-VARIUS are well-suited for most standard environmental applications, offering precision and reliability across a range of measurement needs. Contact us to discover the right product for your application.
Recycling
Recycling has become an essential subject in today’s society due to the impact of waste on our environment and the loss of valuable resources. Whereas in the past, recyclable materials (e.g., paper, plastics, and textiles) were sorted mainly by hand, the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has become a standard in the recycling industry.
Plastic is one of the most challenging materials to classify in recycling waste streams. Reflection measurements employing near-infrared spectroscopy enable the classification of many of the most common polymers in recycling waste streams.
Modern large-scale recycling sorting systems use NIR spectroscopy to rapidly and automatically identify different plastics and eliminate contaminants. The AvaSpec-Mini-NIR is well suited for this environmental application because of its versatility in the 900-1750 nm range. Due to its small form factor, this miniature spectrometer can be easily integrated into various recycling systems.
Pollution Monitoring & Emission Control
As global energy demands continue to rise alongside rapid industrialization, the need for effective pollution monitoring and emission control is more critical than ever. Despite progress in adopting cleaner technologies, a significant portion of global electricity is still generated from coal-burning power plants, highlighting the ongoing importance of environmental monitoring systems.
Spectroscopy plays a vital role in this field, offering powerful tools like differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) and continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) to track and analyze air pollutants. Our AvaSpec-ULS2048x64-EVO and AvaSpec-ULS2048XL-EVO spectrometers are well-suited for these applications, providing accurate and reliable data to help reduce environmental impact.
DOAS Technique – Application Examples
Application Examples
Explore detailed application notes showcasing spectroscopy in the environmental industry:
Why Choose Avantes for Environmental Applications?
- Real-time monitoring: quick & accurate results
- Ultra-low stray light design: precise measurements
- Timing controls: repeatable and consistent data
- Long-term stability: ideal for extended monitoring
Related Products
These include some of the products mentioned in the application examples above. Contact one of our sales engineers for advice to find the perfect setup for your specific application.