Abstract
This thesis describes an optical fibre-based technique, known as fibre-evanescent-field absorption (FEFA), and its investigation as a potential method for measuring colour in water samples containing suspended material without the need for sample filtering. A simple FEFA apparatus, assembled using off-the-shelf components was constructed and its performance in measuring absorption of chlorophyll-related pigments in the presence of suspended clay particles compared to bulk-absorption measurements typically conducted in water quality laboratories. The FEFA technique was found to be capable of measuring the wavelenth-dependent absoprtion of milligrams per litre (mg/L) of dissolved chlorophyll-related pigments in the presence of up to 2.5 g/L of suspended clay particles. These concentrations of suspended clay particles were found to preclude the use of bulk absorption measurements due to complete beam attenuation via scattering.
| Original language | English |
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| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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| Award date | 31 Jul 2002 |
| Place of Publication | Australia |
| Publisher | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |