Uso de imagens digitais para a determinação da concentração e do comprimento de onda de analitos de interesse ambiental

Abstract

This dissertation presents an alternative to the use of spectrophotometers applied to determine the wavelength of maximum absorbance and concentration of substances that absorb electromagnetic radiation in the visible region (400-800 nm), using for this purpose digital images. Digital cameras were used to obtain all the digital images being used at first a camera and, as second approach in order to reduce costs and increase portability, a web cam. The photographic variables were obtained using software developed using JAVA®. Mathematical tools were developed using the least squares method (LSM), considering the photographic variables: R (Red), G (Green), B (blue), H (Hue), S (Saturation) and Br (Brightness). Thru the use of ANOVA all models were feasible on a confidence level of 95%. To verify accuracy, at first, the method was applied to three commercial samples: Isotonic (Yellow Tartrazine), Antacid (Sunset Yellow) and Suplemeto Iron (Iron total). Also, samples of mine water, dams and streams of the region focusing on the determination of the following analytes: Aluminum, Iron, Phosphorus and Nitrite. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were similar to results obtained by standard methods. Tests of addition and recovery, were performed and the recovery rates obtained between 93.50 and 108.30%. Precision was evaluated as the relative standard deviation (n = 3), being less than 1.53%. Determinations with the proposed method and the spectrophotometric method were concordant (paired t-test with 95% confidence). In conclusion, this is a simple and versatile method and shows that the use of digital images may be applied to determinate the concentration and or the wavelength of maximum absorption of analytes in colored aqueous solution.