Aquaphotomics approach for monitoring different steps of purification process in water treatment systems

Currently, the water quality assessment is based on determination of a range of physico-chemical, and microbiological parameters, which is costly, time-consuming and requires multiple tests. Aquaphotomics strategy for water monitoring is based on the principle that the spectra of water are sensitive to all the chemical and physical perturbations, and as such reflect the state of water. In this study, aquaphotomics approach was applied on the near infrared spectra of water samples which underwent different filtration treatments performed by a commercially available water treatment system intended for the household use. The applicability of this approach was demonstrated using difference spectra, multivariate classification analysis and by visualizing the water spectral pattern in aquagrams. The results consistently showed that water samples produced by different filtration treatments have distinctive spectral patterns which characterize the state of water molecular network, and can be used for identification of the respective treatment, tracking efficiency of the treatment and monitoring the performance of water treatment systems. [Display omitted] •Aquaphotomics approach was tested for monitoring of water treatment systems.•Water samples produced by different water treatments were successfully discriminated.•The spectral pattern of water can be used for water characterization.•Aquaphotomics offers reagent-free, continuous, nondestructive water monitoring.