ABSTRACT
The potential application of fluorescence quenching and fluorescence polarization techniques to the study of binding/adsorption of organic pollutants into natural organic matter is reviewed. Basic principles underlying the fluorescence phenomena as a whole and treatment methods of data obtained by fluorescence quenching and fluorescence polarization techniques are summarized. Experimental results and information available at present on the application of either fluorescence techniques to the study of interaction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with humic substances (HS) are briefly discussed. Advantages provided by both fluorescence techniques in the quantitative and structural studies of organic pollutant-humic substance binding, possible extension and application to other organic pollutants (such as pesticides), and recommendations for further work conclude this review.
