Here we report optical data collected as part of a collaborative study between USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Water Mission Area Proxies Project. The optical measurements reported here were collected to aide in the characterization of water sources and mixtures and establish proxies (surrogates) for per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances within the Neshaminy Creek basin. Data are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary file of commonly extracted optical indicators and field-based sensor arrays.

Here we report optical data collected as part of a collaborative study between USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Water Mission Area Proxies Project. The optical measurements reported here were collected to aide in the characterization of water sources and mixtures and establish proxies (surrogates) for per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances within the Neshaminy Creek basin. Data are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary file of commonly extracted optical indicators and field-based sensor arrays.

Fluorescence and absorbance spectra were measured in discrete surface water samples collected during three sampling campaigns (Nov 2022, Mar/Apr 2023, Jul 2023) on the Illinois Waterway (IWW) and Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), which are the primary drainage of the Illinois River Basin (IRB). Water sampling was conducted concurrently with a boat-based water quality mapping effort using the Fast Limnology Automated Measurement (FLAMe) system (Crawford et al., 2015). Each campaign began in the Chicago metropolitan area, and after having sampled Lake Michigan, entered into the upper extent of the IWW, sampling through the CAWS into the lower reaches of the Des Plaines River and finally the Illinois River. After 8-10 days of traveling downriver through the IWW, sampling ended in the Mississippi River upstream of St Louis, Missouri. Discrete water quality samples were collected from various sites that include main channel, tributaries, and off-channel areas (e.g., backwaters) from a depth of 1 meter (m), typically in the center of the channel or aquatic feature. Between 25 and 40 sites were sampled per campaign dependent upon river conditions and boat accessibility. Data reported here are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary optical measurements commonly used in statistical analyses.

Optical spectra reported here are collected from 17 surface water sampling sites within the Fraser River, a headwaters drainage of the Upper Colorado River Basin in the central western United States. The sample collection was conducted as part of the partnership between the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Next Generation Water Observation System (NGWOS) and Proxies Project, in coordination with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center and California Water Science Center, and the East Grand Water Quality Board.

Water quality and optical absorbance data for journal article entitled, "The removal kinetics of dissolved organic matter and the optical clarity of groundwater" by Francis H. Chapelle, Yuan Shen, Eric W. Strom, and Ronald Benner.

Water quality and optical absorbance data for journal article entitled, "The removal kinetics of dissolved organic matter and the optical clarity of groundwater" by Francis H. Chapelle, Yuan Shen, Eric W. Strom, and Ronald Benner.

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health, conducted a study to determine the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in source and finished drinking waters throughout Minnesota. Minnesota relies on both groundwater and surface water sources for drinking water, which may be vulnerable to influences such as wastewater discharge and/or agricultural activities. Thus, drinking water facilities apply some form of treatment to source waters prior to distribution. Although drinking water treatment is mostly focused on satisfying regulatory requirements, it may provide secondary benefits for removal of unregulated contaminants. In 2019, 2021, and 2022, paired source and finished drinking water was collected from 100 facilities and characterized for select organic contaminants. Samples were analyzed for some combination of alkylphenols, benzotriazoles/benzothiazoles, hormones, illicit drugs, personal care products, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, and wastewater indicators, depending on potential influences from the watershed.