Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter of Sediments in Urban Streams Using EEMs–PARAFAC and Absorption Spectroscopy: A Case Study in Wuhan, China

Urbanization has notably changed the characteristics and functions of watershed ecosystems worldwide, influencing chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) (DOM) sediments in urban streams. In this study, biogeochemical 42 water samples optical absorption excitation–emission matrix spectra (EEMs) 14 sediment collected from streams Wuhan were systematically examined. addition, five one sample Mulan Lake as a reference for non-urban areas. The a254 values ranged widely (25.7–197.6 m−1), mean (116.32 ± 60.5 m−1) was significantly higher than (51.52 indicating clear individual differences concentration CDOM. Two humus-like components tryptophan-like component effectively identified by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). fluorescence index (FI)/biological (BIX) DOM mostly within 1.4–1.7/0.8–1.0, compound both allochthonous autochthonous sources. Compared with reference, lower FI BIX humification (HIX) revealed input degree Spearman’s correlation redundancy demonstrated that heavy metals other quality parameters had considerable impact on CDOM concentrations components. This study could support use an effective tool to monitor environment provide insights into future pollution management strategies.