Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) plays an important role in marine ecosystems. In order to solve the current problems in measurement of CDOM absorption, an automated onboard analyzer based on liquid core waveguides (Teflon AF LWCC/LCW) was constructed. This analyzer has remarkable characteristics including adjusted optical pathlength, wide measurement range, and high sensitivity. The model of filtration and injection can implement the function of automated filtration, sample injection, and LWCC cleaning. The LabVIEW software platform can efficiently control the running state of the analyzer and acquire real time data including light absorption spectra, GPS data, and CTW data. By the comparison experiments and shipboard measurements, it was proved that the analyzer was reliable and robust.
Teflon AF is chemically very inert, quite physically and optically stable, a highly vapor-permeable polymer with optical transparency through much of the UV-Vis region and with an RI lower than that of water, so Teflon AF LWCC/LCW (Long path-length liquid waveguide capillary cell/liquid core waveguides) has been used with a range of different detection techniques, including absorbance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and gas sensor. The present article describes the properties and the aspects of Teflon AF LWCC/LCW instrumentation and applications. And finally,the future prospect and outlook of Teflon AF LWCC/LCW is also discussed.
