Exploring spectroscopic methods for environmental monitoring

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School of Electrical Engineering | Doctoral thesis (article-based) | Defence date: 2025-08-15
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Date

2025

Department

Sähkötekniikan ja automaation laitos
Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation

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Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

59 + app. 41

Series

Aalto University publication series Doctoral Theses, 140/2025

Abstract

This thesis explores advances in spectroscopic approaches for environmental monitoring, focusing on two main areas: real-time trace metal analysis and microplastics identification. The first part covers the application of micro-plasma based spectroscopy for trace metal detection in the liquid phase of both industrial and atmospheric samples. This technique demonstrated strong performance in real-world conditions, offering the advantage of real-time, online analysis without the need for extensive sample preparation or costly instrumentation. Its robustness and efficiency position it as a practical future alternative for continuous environmental monitoring. The second part of the thesis investigates microplastics detection with the photoacoustic method, as an alternative to traditional techniques such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Experimental results indicate that this approach is not only viable but also holds promise as a complementary method to FTIR, particularly for analyzing environmental samples. Together, these investigations contribute to the development of practical, scalable, and costeffective solutions for improved monitoring of environmental pollutants.

Description

Supervising professor

Ikonen, Erkki, Prof., Aalto University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Finland

Thesis advisor

Karhu, Juho, Dr., Aalto University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Finland

Keywords

environmental monitoring: industrial application, trace metal analysis, photo acoustic spectroscopy, microplastic analysis

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Parts

  • [Publication 1]: Das, Sudatta; Blomberg von der Geest, Kalle; Mäkinen, Ari; Roos, Aappo; Ikonen, Erkki; Laurila, Toni. 2023. ‘‘Sensitive detection of metal concentrations in aqueous solution using real-time micro-plasma emission spectroscopy’’. Analytical Letters, volume 57, issue 14, pages 2376-2387.
    Full text in Acris/Aaltodoc: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202401171493
    DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2023.2294358 View at publisher
  • [Publication 2]: Das, Sudatta; Teinilä, Kimmo; Timonen, Hilkka; Ikonen, Erkki; Laurila, Toni. 2024. ‘‘Real-time measurement of metals in submicron aerosols with particle-into-liquid sampler combined with micro-discharge optical emission spectroscopy’’. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, volume 196, issue 11, 1128.
    Full text in Acris/Aaltodoc: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202411137087
    DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13298-3 View at publisher
  • [Publication 3]: Das, Sudatta; Fernandes, Rita; Karhu, Juho; Hrovat, Blaz; Koistinen, Arto; Martins, Roberto; Marques, Carlos; Toivonen, Juha; Ikonen, Erkki. ‘‘Identification of microplastics with cantilever enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy in infrared region’’. (submitted in April 2025)

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https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-64-2649-5

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[diss] Sähkötekniikan korkeakoulu / ELEC