Author(s): Soheil Zehsaz; Joao L. M. P. De Lima; M. Isabel P. De Lima; Jorge M. G. P. Isidoro; Ricardo Martins
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Abstract: This study explores the applicability of a novel fluorescent-based quinine tracer for estimating surface velocities of sheet flows and open channel flows under different ambient light conditions (day, twilight, night). The fluorescence of quinine is revealed under ultraviolet-A light. A quinine liquid solution was tested over several types of soil surfaces for estimating sheet flow velocities, both in the laboratory and in the field. Additionally, field experiments were conducted in open-channel flows to test the application of quinine tracers in both liquid and solid (ice cubes) states, and an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was used to record images of the behaviour of the tracers. The results revealed that quinine can be used as a fluorescent tracer to estimate sheet flows and open-channel surface flow velocities under low luminosity conditions. The main advantage of the quinine tracer lies in its high visibility under low luminosity conditions, which can be detected by optical sensors, while remaining environmentally non-toxic. These findings highlight the potential of quinine-based tracing techniques for surface flow velocity estimation in diverse and challenging scenarios, offering valuable insights for hydrological research and applications.
Year: 2024