巢湖湖滨带沉积物间隙水溶解性有机质的光谱特征与时空差异

利用三维荧光光谱(3DEEM)和平行因子分析法(PARAFAC)研究巢湖湖滨带沉积物间隙水中溶解性有机质(DOM)含量组成、剖面分布特征及主要来源。结果表明,间隙水中DOM含有3种荧光组分,包括类腐殖质组分C1(275 nm, 365 nm/467 nm)、类腐殖质组分C2(330 nm/407 nm)和类酪氨酸组分C3(275 nm/319 nm)。在空间分布上,远岸带DOM总荧光强度均值为(0.432±0.306) RU,低于近岸带DOM总荧光强度均值[(0.583±0.478) RU],同时近岸带荧光强度均值大于湖心点,各点位垂直剖面上荧光强度随沉积物深度呈现下降趋势;在时间分布上,沉积物间隙水夏季DOM总荧光强度均值为(0.390±0.301) RU,小于冬季[(0.584±0.453) RU];此外,近岸带DOC浓度高于远岸带,远岸带DOC浓度高于湖心点,冬季各断面DOC浓度高于夏季;随着沉积物深度的增加,DOC浓度首先呈现升高趋势后迅速随深度增加而降低,在底泥界面10 cm以下保持稳定状态;冬季腐殖化指数(HIX)高于夏季,荧光指数(FI)和生物源指数(BIX)表明沉积物间隙水DOM受到内源中生物源与外源污染中陆源的共同影响,受到内源中生物源影响更大。该研究可为巢湖湖滨带水环境管理与面源污染控制提供一定参考。     

夏季渭河西安段溶解性有机质(DOM)的特征、分布及来源分析

通过紫外吸收光谱,三维荧光光谱结合平行因子分析(EEMs-PARAFAC)方法及主成分分析(PCA),研究了夏季渭河西安段水体中的溶解性有机质(DOM)的组成、来源,及其与水质指标的相关性.在研究区域共检出2种类别5个不同的DOM组分,分别为类腐殖质荧光组分C1、C2、C3、C5和1个类蛋白类荧光组分C4,5个组分具有同源性.对比分析光谱斜率S、SUVA₂₅₄、α355和DOC浓度,上游(S1—S5)和下游(S13—S17)各组分分子量和腐殖化程度接近但来源有所差异,中游(S6—S12、S18—S19)分子量和腐殖化程度最低;研究区域DOM和CDOM浓度值变化基本保持一致.通过三维光谱参数和主成分分析进行DOM源解析,内源贡献率为72.36%,外源贡献率为12.45%,累计方差贡献率为84.81%;污废水排放是组分C1、C4的主要来源,C2、C3、C5则来源于城市景观水体和湿地公园中微生物和浮游动植物的活动产生,TN与外源具有较好的相关性而TP与内源相关性较高.水质指标DO、DOC、COD、TN、TP与DOM组分有较强的相关性.在此基础上建立了多元线性回归方程,一定程度上能够利用荧光组分组成和特征反映渭河夏季的水质状况.     

东平湖可溶性有机物的荧光特征及环境意义

东平湖作为南水北调东线工程最后一级调水湖泊以及山东省西水东送的水源地,其水质状况对受水区的用水安全起决定性作用。基于2013年8月的东平湖采样,对各水质参数分析发现,东平湖目前仍处于中富—富营养化水平,水质总体接近GB 3838—2002《地表水环境质量标准》IV类水质标准,仍不能满足调水要求,各水质参数表现出强烈的外源性。利用三维荧光光谱(EEMs)并结合平行因子分析法(PARAFAC)解析东平湖有色可溶性有机物的荧光特征,并探讨了荧光组分对东平湖环境污染指示意义的可行性。利用平行因子分析法(PARAFAC)共识别出2类4个荧光组分,分别是类腐殖质荧光组分C1(225/305,386 nm)、C3(260,432 nm)和类蛋白荧光组分C2(240,360 nm)、C4(225/275,304 nm)。相关性分析发现,陆源类腐殖质荧光组分C1与间接反映有机污染程度的溶解性有机碳(DOC)和化学耗氧量(COD)具有显著相关性,类蛋白荧光组分C2与总氮具有显著正相关性,可以对东平湖富营养变化情况进行快速、长期的监测。     

大汶河-东平湖CDOM的荧光特征及与营养物质的耦合关系

东平湖作为南水北调东线工程最后一级调蓄水湖以及山东省西水东调的水源地,其水质状况对受水区的用水安全起着决定性作用。结合2014年夏季对大汶河和东平湖有色可溶性有机物(CDOM)三维荧光的测定分析,探讨了夏季大汶河输入对东平湖CDOM的贡献及荧光强度与叶绿素a(Chla)、化学需氧量(COD)和溶解态有机碳(DOC)的关系。利用平行因子分析法对CDOM三维荧光图谱进行解析,获得4种荧光组分,其中组分1和组分3为类腐殖质荧光、组分2和组分4为类蛋白荧光;从大汶河汶口坝到东平湖出湖口处,类腐殖质荧光强度逐渐增强,类蛋白荧光强度呈递减趋势,且大汶河类蛋白荧光较东平湖高(t=2.408,P=0.032),反映了夏季丰水期大汶河主要向东平湖输入类蛋白荧光物质。东平湖类腐殖质荧光组分C1(r=0.927,P=0.003)、C3(r=0.763,P=0.046)均与DOC具有显著相关性,这表明类腐殖质是东平湖DOC的重要组成部分;而大汶河CDOM各组分与DOC相关性均不显著(P0.05),可能是因为CDOM在大汶河中受光降解、微生物降解等作用以及水体p H的影响,造成大汶河CDOM组分中的腐殖酸、富里酸、蛋白类物质以及一些非荧光类物质在DOC中所占比例不同。东平湖荧光组分C1(r=0.804,P=0.029)、大汶河荧光组分C2(r=0.912,P=0.002)均与COD具有相关性,说明荧光强度可以间接反映水体中被氧化的有机物含量。大汶河CDOM类蛋白荧光组分C2(r=0.937,P=0.001)、C4(r=0.782,P=0.022)均与Chla存在相关性,说明浮游植物是大汶河类蛋白物质的重要来源。     

哈尔滨市降雪中溶解性有机物光谱特性分析

研究雨雪中的溶解性有机物(DOM)将有利于把握其理化性质及其在生态系统中的行为和功能.本研究运用三维荧光光谱(EEMs)技术结合平行因子分析(PARAFAC)、紫外-可见光谱技术(UV-vis),对哈尔滨市2018年3月1日降雪样品中DOM的光谱特性及来源进行解析.结果表明,降雪样品中DOM的相对分子质量较大,芳香构造程度较高,C=C不饱和双键结构较多,腐殖化程度更高,结构更复杂,芳环上含氧官能团含量较少,有机质疏水性较强;EEMs结合PRAFAC解析出3种组分,分别为类腐殖质类物质(C₁和C₂)和类色氨酸(C₃),荧光特征参数(荧光指数FI、自生源指数BIX、腐殖化系数HIX_b和新鲜指数β∶α)表明,降雪样品中DOM受陆源和生物源同时作用,腐殖化程度较高且受到陆源影响严重,自生源组分较少,新生成的DOM比例较低.     

丹江口水库表层沉积物有色可溶性有机物空间分布特征及其来源分析

利用三维荧光光谱(Excitation-emission matrices,EEMs)与平行因子分析模型(Parallel factor analysis,PARAFAC)技术研究丹江口水库表层沉积物有色可溶性有机物(Chromophoric dissolved organic matter,CDOM)荧光组分、空间分布特征和来源,以及不同组分荧光强度与其它沉积物指标的相关性.结果表明,丹江口水库37个采样点CDOM由3类5个荧光组分组成,即类蛋白组分C1(285/345 nm)和C2(225,270/335 nm);陆源类腐殖质组分C3(260/450 nm)和C4(360/450 nm)及自生源类腐殖质组分C5(225,310/405 nm).其中代表类蛋白组分的C1和C2占较高比例,占总荧光强度的百分比的平均值为46.37%,C3与C4和C5占总组分的比例平均值分别为34.33%和19.31%.空间分布上3种荧光峰高值都集中在汉江的入湖河口处及丹江库区居民较多的城镇处,且呈现河流大于库区的趋势.荧光指数(FI)、腐殖化指数(HIX)和生物源指数(BIX)都表明丹江口水库沉积物CDOM的来源具有陆源及生物源的双重特征,陆源主要来源于汉江干流和周边城市居民的活动,以及部分区域农业畜禽养殖;生物源主要来自微生物及藻类的降解.相关性分析说明沉积物CDOM与N、P元素的迁移和转化有密切的关系.     

沙颍河流域水体中溶解性有机质(DOM)的荧光光谱解析

应用三维荧光光谱技术(EEMS),研究了沙颍河流域水体中溶解性有机质(DOM)的荧光光谱特征,并探讨了沿岸生态系统对水体中DOM的性质及来源的影响.结果表明,沙颍河流域水体DOM均存在类色氨酸、类酪氨酸、可见光区和紫外光区类腐殖质4种荧光峰,其中贾鲁河水样中类蛋白与类腐殖质含量均最高.相关性分析显示,沙颍河流域干流和各支流的A、C峰代表的类腐殖质组分均存在共源性.荧光参数分析显示,沿岸土地利用类型以林业为主的澧河水体的DOM陆源性更强,腐殖化程度相对较高;其余各支流受两岸农田及人为排放的影响,水体具有明显的自生源特征,且新生DOM含量较高.贾鲁河荧光特征显示了其水体受人为干扰比较大.     

新疆匹里青河小流域DOM荧光特征及与汞的相互作用

以匹里青河小流域土壤溶解性有机质(DOM)作为研究对象,利用平行因子技术(PARAFAC)结合荧光淬灭滴定技术,分析和讨论流域内不同土地利用类型(包括林地、田地、草地)对DOM的荧光特征及与Hg~(2+)的配位作用。结果表明,不同土地利用类型土壤DOM特征差异显著,土壤DOM含量大小顺序表现为草地林地农田,而有色溶解性有机质(CDOM)含量则表现为草地农田林地。不同土地利用下土壤DOM均包含3种荧光峰:紫外区类腐殖荧光峰A、可见区类富里酸荧光峰C及海洋或陆源类腐殖质荧光峰M。PARAFAC共识别出2种组分:C1为胡敏酸物质,C2为富里酸物质。另外,3种不同土地利用类型中DOM组分荧光强度均随Hg~(2+)浓度的增强出现不同程度的荧光淬灭现象,DOM中各类荧光组分与Hg~(2+)络合常数存在差异,说明由于不同土地利用污染源的不同,DOM参与反应的官能团种类及数量的大小不同,影响了与Hg~(2+)的络合能力,导致络合常数不同。     

渔业养殖区藻源溶解性有机质性质特征对汞甲基化影响

溶解性有机质(dissolved organic matter,DOM)是水生生态系统中的重要成分,能够显著影响汞的甲基化等形态变化过程.以近岸渔业养殖区藻源DOM为研究对象,运用傅里叶变换红外光谱和三维荧光光谱技术,对其结构特征进行表征;并选取总有机碳浓度TOC_DOM=10 mg·L^-1(DOM₁₀)和TOC_DOM=50 mg·L^-1(DOM₅₀)两种水平藻源DOM提取液,分析其在不同汞浓度条件下对汞甲基化过程的影响.结果表明,藻源DOM主要由类蛋白和类腐殖质组分组成,其中前者含量较高,疏水及芳香组分含量较低;红外光谱显示藻源DOM中含有—OH、—CH₃、—CH₂、芳香性C=C等官能团.甲基化实验表明,在溶液中DOM含量相对较少时(DOM:Hg浓度比≤15625),DOM表现出抑制汞甲基化的趋势,而当溶液中DOM含量逐渐升高(DOM:Hg浓度比>15625),DOM可以显著促进水体中汞向甲基汞的转化.藻源...     

太湖水体有机质荧光特征及其来源解析

水体颗粒态(POM)和溶解态有机物(DOM)的形成、转化、归宿及其相伴随的营养盐再生过程在湖泊蓝藻水华暴发过程中扮演着非常重要的营养盐供给者的角色。为了检验POM和DOM荧光特征及其来源的差异性,分别于2014年8月和2015年2月在太湖采集了68(34×2)个样品,利用POM-DOM PARAFAC三维荧光模型及地统计学法对夏、冬季节POM和DOM的荧光特征及其来源进行解析,以期为湖泊富营养化的治理和蓝藻水华的控制提供基础资料。结果表明,夏、冬季节DOM均发现了4类荧光峰(T、D、A和C峰),而夏、冬季节POM荧光峰类型存在明显季节差异,夏季POM出现6类荧光峰(B、D、M、C、A和未知荧光峰U峰),冬季POM出现5类荧光峰(T、D、M、C和A峰);夏季POM类酪氨酸荧光峰D峰激发波长为300 nm,出现明显的"蓝移"现象,说明夏季POM类酪氨酸荧光物质的分子量、缩聚度和芳香度小于其他季节有机质。POM(C1p~C5p)和DOM(C1d~C5d)均存在5种荧光组分,分别是类色氨酸(C1和C2)、类腐殖质(C3和C4)及类酪氨酸(C5)。POM和DOM荧光组分特征存在明显的时空差异;夏季POM以组分C5为主,各荧光组分高值区均分布在竺山湾区域;冬季POM以组分C3为主,各荧光组分高值区均集中在湖心区;而夏、冬季节DOM均以类蛋白组分C2、C1和C5为主(相对含量C2dC1dC5d),各荧光组分高值区均分布在竺山湾区域;夏、冬季节太湖藻型湖区POM类色氨酸组分(C1和C2)较草型湖区多(t=2.003,P=0.040;t=3.465,P=0.002),而DOM类色氨酸组分在不同类型湖区所占比重并无显著差异(P0.05)。综合POM和DOM的块金系数和荧光指数可知,冬季DOM整体表现出较强的自生源特征,夏季DOM、冬季POM、夏季POM均同时受内源和外源的双重影响,其中夏季POM受外源影响相对强烈。     

Three-dimensional fluorescence spectral characterization of soil dissolved organic matters in the fluctuating water-level zone of Kai County, Three Gorges Reservoir

Three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the fluorescent properties of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the water-level-fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of Kai County, Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Most of the soil DOM analyzed in this study was found to contain four fluorescence peaks. Peaks A and C represent humic-like fluorescence, whereas peaks B and D represent tryptophan-like fluorescence. Peaks E and F, which represent tyrosine-like fluorescence, only appeared in certain soils. Soil humus was the main source of DOM in soil, and higher concentration of soil DOM was found in the exposed soil than submerged soil. Compared to the peaks A and B, the fluorescence intensities of peaks C and D were strongly influenced by the fluctuating water level. Analysis of fluorescence intensities of different peaks in soil DOM showed that WLFZ soil was not contaminated significantly. Soil DOM contained at least two types of humic-like fluorescence groups and two types of protein-like fluorescence groups. The proportion of the content of peak A in soil organic matter was quite stable. The soil DOM in exposed soil had relatively high humification and aromaticity, and periodic submerging and exposure of soil had an impact on the humification of soil DOM.     

Spatial connectivity in a large river system: resolving the sources and fate of dissolved organic matter

Large rivers are generally heterogeneous and productive systems that receive important inputs of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from terrestrial and in situ sources. Thus, they are likely to play a significant role in the biogeochemical cycling of the DOM flowing to the oceans. The asymmetric spatial gradient driven by directional flow and environmental heterogeneity contributes to the fate of DOM flowing downstream. Yet, the relative effects of spatial connectivity and environmental heterogeneity on DOM dynamics are poorly understood. For example, since environmental variables show spatial heterogeneity, the variation explained by environmental and spatial variables may be redundant. We used the St. Lawrence River (SLR) as a representative large river to resolve the unique influences of environmental heterogeneity and spatial connectivity on DOM dynamics. We used three-dimensional fluorescence matrices combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to characterize the DOM pool in the SLR. Seven fluorophores were modeled, of which two were identified to be of terrestrial origin and three from algal exudates. We measured a set of environmental variables that are known to drive the fate of DOM in aquatic systems. Additionally, we used asymmetric eigenvector map (AEM) modeling to take spatial connectivity into account. The combination of spatial and environmental models explained 85% of the DOM variation. We show that spatial connectivity is an important driver of DOM dynamics, as a large fraction of environmental heterogeneity was attributable to the asymmetric spatial gradient. Along the longitudinal axis, we noted a rapid increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), mostly controlled by terrestrial input of DOM originating from the tributaries. Variance partitioning demonstrated that freshly produced protein-like DOM was found to be the preferential substrate for heterotrophic bacteria undergoing rapid proliferation, while humic-like DOM was more correlated to the diffuse attenuation coefficient of UVA radiation.     

Effects of oxidizing environment on digestate humification and identification of substances governing the dissolved organic matter (DOM) transformation process

• Liquid digestate humification was investigated under different oxidizing environment. • Tryptophan-like substances dominated the transformation of the liquid digestate DOM. • The humification sequence of the liquid digestate DOM was identified. • UV₃₂₅ was first identified as a pre-humus intermediate during humification reaction. The formation of humic-like acids (HLAs) is an essential process for converting liquid digestate into organic soil amendments to enhance agricultural sustainability. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of oxygen and/or MnO₂ on the production of HLAs. Herein, abiotic humification performance of the digestate dissolved organic matter (DOM) is investigated with fluxes of air and N₂ in the absence and presence of MnO₂. Our results demonstrated that the fate of digestate DOM greatly depends on the oxidizing environment, the MnO₂ enhanced nitrogen involved in the formation of HLAs. The synergistic effects of MnO₂ and oxygen effectively improved the production of HLAs, and the corresponding component evolution was analyzed using spectroscopic evidence. The two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy results demonstrated that the reaction sequence of digestate DOM followed the order of protein-like substances, substances with an absorbance at 325 nm, substances with UV absorbance at 254 nm and HLAs. Additionally, excitation emission matrix fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) showed that tryptophan-like C3 was more prone to transformation than tyrosine-like C2 and was responsible for the humification process. The substance with an absorbance at 325 nm was a reaction intermediate in the transformation process of protein-like substances to HLAs. The above findings can be used to promote the production of liquid fertilizer associated with carbon sequestration as well as the sustainable development of biogas production.     

Quantitative characterization of Cu binding potential of dissolved organic matter （DOM） in sediment from Taihu Lake using multiple techniques

Dissolved organic matter （DOM） plays an important role in heavy metal speciation and distribution in the aquatic environment especially for eutrophic lakes which have higher DOM concentration. Taihu Lake is the third largest freshwater and a high eutrophic lake in the downstream of the Yangtze River, China. In the lake, frequent breakout of algae blooms greatly increased the concentration of different organic matters in the lake sediment. In this study, sediment samples were collected from various part of Taihu Lake to explore the spatial difference in the binding potential of DOM with Cu. The titration experiment was adopted to quantitatively characterize the interaction between Cu（II） and DOM extracted from Taihu Lake sediments using ion selective electrode （ISE） and fluorescence quenching technology. The ISE results showed that the exogenous DOM had higher binding ability than endogenous DOM, and DOM derived from aquatic macrophytes had a higher binding ability than that derived from algae. The fluorescence quenching results indicated that humic substances played a key role in the complexation between DOM and Cu（II） in the lake. However, because of the frequent breakout of algae blooms, protein-like matters are also main component like hnmic matters in Taihu Lake. Therefore, the metals bound by protein-like substances should be caused concern as protein-like substances in DOM were unstable and they will release bound metal when decomposed.     

Identification of sources,characteristics and photochemical transformations of dissolved organic matter with EEM-PARAFAC in the Wei River of China

• The source of DOM in surface water and sediment is inconsistent. • The DOC content changes differently in surface water and sediment. • The content of DOC in the surface water is lower than that in the sediment. • The DOM in the surface water had higher photodegradation potentials than sediment. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in rivers is a critical regulator of the cycling and toxicity of pollutants and the behavior of DOM is a key indicator for the health of the environment. We investigated the sources and characteristics of DOM in surface water and sediment samples of the Wei River, China. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV₂₅₄) increased in the surface water and were decreased in the sediment downstream, indicating that the source of DOM in the water differed from the sediment. Parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis of the excitation-emission matrices (EEM) revealed the presence of terrestrial humus-like, microbial humus-like and tryptophan-like proteins in the surface water, whereas the sediment contained UVA humic-like, UVC humic-like and fulvic-like in the sediment. The DOM in the surface water and sediment were mainly derived from microbial metabolic activity and the surrounding soil. Surface water DOM displayed greater photodegradation potential than sediment DOM. PARAFAC analysis indicated that the terrestrial humic-like substance in the water and the fulvic-like component in the sediment decomposed more rapidly. These data describe the characteristics of DOM in the Wei River and are crucial to understanding the fluctuations in environmental patterns.     

Spatio-temporal variations of fluorescence properties of dissolved organic matter along the River Têt (Pyrénées-Orientales,France)

Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices showed the spectral signature of dissolved organic matter (DOM) downstream in the River Têt at all seasons corresponding to humic substances with maximum fluorescence emission λem=420–460 nm for excitations of λex=340–360 nm and the occasional presence of tryptophan, tracer of anthropogenic pressure, spectroscopically identified by λex/λem=310/350 nm. A factorial discriminant analysis, performed using the parameters selected (λex/λem pairs of wavelength), succeeded in a better discrimination of seasons than stations, and clearly showed the presence of two fluorophores. Fluorophore 1, with two absorption bands: λex=260–320 nm and 330–390 nm for λem=440–500 nm, and Fluorophore 2, with one absorption band: λex=300–360 nm for λem=410 nm, which are attributed to humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA), respectively. Variations of DOM relative contents downstream in the River Têt, according to seasons and stations, showed high amounts of DOM (pedogenic character) along the river in the humid period, with the highest value obtained in the mountain section. In contrast, in summer, the DOM contents were low (aquagenic character). Moreover, DOM presents a relatively constant composition with a percentage of FA ranging from 40% at the mountain station to 48% at the mouth river, whatever the season.     

热带滨海区不同土地利用背景下土壤溶解性有机氮的组成与粒径分布特征

溶解态有机氮(DON)是土壤中活跃的氮库,其生态环境行为与它的化学组成和粒径分布密切相关。为评估热带滨海区不同土地利用方式对不同粒径中土壤溶解性有机氮组成特征的影响,从水稻田、橡胶园、菜园和果园采集土壤样品,通过一系列微滤和超滤(0.7,0.45,0.2,0.1μm,100,10,1 kDa)对土壤溶解性有机氮分级,并使用连续流动分析仪、三维荧光光谱和红外光谱研究了滤液中溶解态有机氮、无机氮的含量及荧光组分和有机官能团特征。结果表明,4种土地利用背景下土壤DON值的范围为5.25-10.88 mg·kg^-1,其大小顺序为水稻>菜园>果树>橡胶,且DON与溶解性总氮(DTN)的比值范围为26.08%-67.11%,其中橡胶土最高,水稻土最低;不同粒径下4种土地利用类型土壤DON主要集中在<100 kDa的粒径中,其值范围为4.85-9.48 mg·kg^-1,占全量的85.89%-92.41%。三维荧光光谱(3D-EEMs)及平行因子分析表明,4种土地利用背景下土壤DON含有两种类腐殖质组分及一种类蛋白质组分,且以类腐殖质组分为主,占比54.00%-77.67%;类蛋白组分对土地利用变化敏感,且随着粒径的减小,类蛋白组分占比增加,在<1 kDa组分中比例最高。红外光谱结果表明,4种土地利用背景下土壤DON主要在6个位置有相似的吸收峰,包含3410 cm^-1、1636 cm^-1、1402 cm^-1、1138-1035 cm^-1、673 cm^-1、602 cm^-1,不同土地利用背景下各吸收峰的透光度不同,强度最大的吸收来自游离的胺类N-H伸缩振动;水稻、菜园土壤DON芳香物质含量较高,结构较复杂。了解DON的组成与粒径分布对土地利用的响应,对进一步研究其生态环境行为具有重要意义。     

Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy for characterization of organic matter in membrane bioreactors: Principles,methods and applications

• Principles and methods for fluorescence EEM are systematically outlined. • Fluorophore peak/region/component and energy information can be extracted from EEM. • EEM can fingerprint the physical/chemical/biological properties of DOM in MBRs. • EEM is useful for tracking pollutant transformation and membrane retention/fouling. • Improvements are still needed to overcome limitations for further studies. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is a rising star for wastewater treatment. The pollutant elimination and membrane fouling performances of MBRs are essentially related to the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the system. Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, a powerful tool for the rapid and sensitive characterization of DOM, has been extensively applied in MBR studies; however, only a limited portion of the EEM fingerprinting information was utilized. This paper revisits the principles and methods of fluorescence EEM, and reviews the recent progress in applying EEM to characterize DOM in MBR studies. We systematically introduced the information extracted from EEM by considering the fluorescence peak location/intensity, wavelength regional distribution, and spectral deconvolution (giving fluorescent component loadings/scores), and discussed how to use the information to interpret the chemical compositions, physiochemical properties, biological activities, membrane retention/fouling behaviors, and migration/transformation fates of DOM in MBR systems. In addition to conventional EEM indicators, novel fluorescent parameters are summarized for potential use, including quantum yield, Stokes shift, excited energy state, and fluorescence lifetime. The current limitations of EEM-based DOM characterization are also discussed, with possible measures proposed to improve applications in MBR monitoring.