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Project title

Adaptive Information Cluster - Sensor Webs (SmartCatchment)

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Dublin City University (DCU)

Lead Applicant

Dermot Diamond

Project Abstract

The project Analytical Devices for Autonomous Monitoring of the Environment was organised into three sub-projects focused on;i Development of an autonomous phosphate analyser for measuring nutrient levels in rivers lakes and coastal regionsi Development of a LED-based instrument for measuring colour and controlling surfaces functionalised with photoswitchable filmsi Methods for qualifying the elemental (mainly heavy metal) content of soils and dust samplesA portable system for long-term monitoring of phosphate has been developed. This completely autonomous device incorporates sampling reagent and waste storage colorimetric detection wireless communication and a power supply into a complete miniaturized system. Integration of a wireless communication device allows acquisition parameters to be controlled remotely and adjusted according to individual needs. In addition wireless communication capabilities allow the results to be downloaded remotely and displayed in real time. The autonomous capabilities of the system combined with the portability and wireless communication provide the flexibility needed for on-site phosphate monitoring. This system demonstrates the potential of truly autonomous microfluidic platforms for use in long-term environmental monitoring.The results of the LED research show that it is possible to use low power LED light sources to detect colour changes arising at different regions of the visible spectrum and to control the state of surfaces functionalised with photoswitchable molecules. In the future such capabilities could be vital for the realisation of surfaces whose binding characteristics can be controlled using light which could greatly extend the useable lifetime of sensing surfaces exposed to hostile samples i.e. switch between active (measuring) and passive states.Attempts to deploy ISEs for Pb2+ sensing demonstrated in this work show that solid-contact ISEs can be successfully utilized for soil analysis. Introduction of conductive polymer as an inner contact between the ion selective membrane and solid support improved performance of ISEs. It was shown that the detection limit of the electrodes is comparable with the detection limit of AAS a routinely used instrumental technique in environmental analysis. Sample digestion with diluted nitric acid by simple ultrasonication resulted in concentrations of Pb2+ that were measurable with both ISEs and AAS with good correlation between the two methods. This digestion can then be applied for in situ soil digestion significantly simplifying sample preparation. Furthermore a good correlation between results obtained with ISEs and AAS implies the possibility of application of the former technique in soil analysis. Inexpensive construction good detection limits and a simple experimental setup make ISEs an excellent prospect for in situ environmental analysis.

Grant Approved

�358,308.00

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems & Human Health (including Drinking Water)

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a