Detection of aquatic colloids in drinking water during its distribution via a water pipeline network

Laser-induced Breakdown Detection (LIBD) is a highly sensitive method for the direct detection of nano-particles (colloids). During the detection process plasmas are generated on single particles by a focused laser beam, the resulting plasma light emissions are detected optically. The method is based on the difference in breakdown thresholds of liquid and solid matter, it is lower for solid material. The laser pulse energy is adjusted precisely so that in the pure liquid no breakdown events occur, and only in the presence of colloids is the breakdown threshold in the focal volume exceeded. The spatial distribution of several thousand recorded plasma flashes within the focal volume reveals the mean particle diameter. The evaluation of the number of breakdown events per number of laser pulses results in a breakdown probability, together with the particle size the concentration is calculated using specially-designed computer software. Compared to conventional laser light scattering methods the LIBD is approximately 6 orders of magnitude more sensitive for particles smaller than ca. 0.05 pm. Together with laser light obscuration the LIBD technique has been used successfully for the quantification of aquatic nano-particles during drinking water processing and its distribution via a pipeline network of nearly 1,700 km total length. In addition, the particulate content of several brands of mineral water has been investigated.