Automated Water Analyser Computer Supported System (AWACSS) Part I: Project objectives, basic technology, immunoassay development, software design and networking (original) (raw)
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2009
In the last 15 years the research projects supported by the European Commission River Analyser (RIANA) and Automated Water Analyser Computer Supported System (AWACSS) have developed quick, intelligent and cost-effective biosensors that allow the monitoring of different organic pollutants, ranging from regulated ones such as pesticides to emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds. Herein we give an overview of the aims, scope and main achievements of the RIANA and AWACSS projects as well as details about basic technology, immunoassays, software and networking developed within the research project. We also report on the systems performance, real water sample measurements and validation of the biosensors with conventional analytical methods. The biosensors developed were able to measure several organic pollutants at low nanogram per litre level in an analysis taking only a few minutes without any prior sample pre-concentration or pre-treatment steps. This work is a proof-ofconcept that biosensors are a practical alternative or complementary methodology to traditional chromatographic techniques.
Biosensors and …, 2005
Having in mind actual needs of water-sector managers related to the implementation of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) (98/83/EC, 1998) and Water Framework Directive WFD (2000/60/EC, 2000), drinking, ground, surface, and waste waters were major media used for the ...
Journal 4 Research - J4R Journal, 2016
A biosensor is an analytical device which converts a biological response into an electrical signal. The term biosensor is often used to cover sensor devices used in order to determine the concentration of substances and other parameters of biological interest even where they do not utilize a biological system directly. Biosensors have become essential analytical tools, since they offer higher performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity than any other currently available diagnostic tool. With appropriate progress in research, biosensors will have an important impact on environmental monitoring, reducing cost and increasing efficiency. Biosensors represent a rapidly expanding field, at the present time, with an estimated 60% annual growth rate; where major focus is on health care industry. Although there use is unquestionable in the field of agri food, research, security and defence. In this paper various aspects of biosensors have been touched.
Control of Drinking Water by Linking Biosensors with Physicochemical Methods
Procedia Engineering, 2015
An alarm system is developed for the direct detection of toxic substances in drinking water. The vitality of living organisms or cells is monitored continuously by electrochemical and infrared spectroscopic methods. Mammalian cells or bacteria are acting as highly sensitive biosensors and are monitored simultaneously by infrared and electrochemical techniques. It enables the nonspecific detection of toxins with short response times for implementation in water supplies.
Talanta, 2006
Until now, water quality monitoring has relied heavily on spot sampling followed by instrumental analytical measurements to determine pollutant concentrations. Despite a number of advantages, this procedure has considerable limitations in terms of (i) temporal and spatial resolution that may be achieved at reasonable cost, and (ii) the information on bioavailability that may be obtained. Successful implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) across EU member states will require the establishment and use of emerging and low-cost tools as part of monitoring programmes. These techniques may complement monitoring already in place by providing additional information with the aim to obtain a more representative picture of the quality of a water body. This article considers the limitations associated with current monitoring practice and presents, in the form of a review, emerging biological and chemical monitoring tools that may become part of a 'toolbox' of techniques for use by those in charge of assessing water quality. Biological monitoring techniques include biomarkers, biosensors, biological early warning systems and whole-organism bioassays. Sampling and analytical tools developed for chemical assessment comprise biosensors, immunoassays, passive samplers, and sensors. Descriptions of these devices and a discussion of their suitability for different types of monitoring detailing advantages and limitations are presented. Finally, quality assurance and quality control or method validation issues are summarised.
Biosensors for the Environment
Oil & Gas Science and Technology, 2005
Numerous pollutants from industrial or agricultural origins are found in the environment, and especially in water. Compounds such as herbicides, pesticides, chlorinated solvents as well as compounds linked to petroleum utilization are frequently found as pollutants of aquifers. These chemicals are generally toxic for humans and animals and their presence in water must be monitored to avoid the contamination of drinking water sources. Classical analytical tools (GC, GC/MS, etc.) provide accurate, reproducible and sensitive determination of contaminant concentrations. Nevertheless, their use requires to take samples on the contaminated sites and to transport the samples to laboratory for analysis. Such handling of samples is time-consuming and expensive. Biosensors are new analytical tools, whose conception has benefited from advances in different scientific areas, and particularly in biology; they now allow the development of highly specific tools. They provide real-time determination and detection of very low concentrations of contaminant and they can be used directly on-site.
Biosensors for environmental monitoring: A global perspective
Talanta, 2005
The intention of this article is to reflect the advances and describe the trends on biosensors for environmental applications. Biosensors are useful analytical tools for environmental monitoring, capable of providing results in real time, simple to use, portable and cost-effective. Some examples of biosensors in advanced stage of development, which have been applied to real samples, as well as of commercial devices, are given. Biosensors designed for measurement of either specific chemicals or their biological effects, such as toxicity biosensors and endocrine effect biosensors, are discussed. This overview also addresses the support provided by public institutions for biosensor research in the USA, Japan and, especially, in Europe. Future prospects of biosensor technology, with special emphasis in the development of new sensing elements, are foreseen.