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Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission (L.I.F.E.) as Novel Non-Invasive Tool for In-Situ Measurements of Biomarkers in Cryospheric Habitats
Published on: October 26, 2019
In situ measurements of subsurface contaminants with a multi-channel laser-induced fluorescence system
Jane Wu Pepper1, Andrew O Wright, Jonathan E Kenny
1Department of Chemistry and Center for Field Analytical Studies and Technology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA. jpepper@srubiosystems.com
Abstract:
A new multi-channel laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) probe with novel optical fiber probe geometry has been designed and integrated into a cone penetrometer testing (CPT) system for in situ contamination detection. The system is capable of collecting excitation and emission matrices (EEMs) of subsurface contaminants as a function of depth in seconds. Compared to our previous multi-channel LIF-CPT system, the new system is faster and more compact, with reduced probe size and sampling area. This article describes the first field demonstration of the system at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. One contaminated site within the base was characterized through in situ measurements of 26 LIF-CPT pushes. To validate the LIF results, core samples taken at five locations were analyzed by both on-site LIF measurements and by off-site laboratory analyses with EPA methods. The comparison of the LIF and laboratory results is presented, along with the results of the in situ measurements.
