Abstract
Heavy metal pollution of water has become a global issue and is especially problematic in some developing countries. Heavy metals are toxic to living organisms, even at very low concentrations. Therefore, effective and reliable heavy metal detection in environmental water is very important. Current laboratory-based methods used for analysis of heavy metals in water require sophisticated instrumentation and highly trained technicians, making them unsuitable for routine heavy metal monitoring in the environment. Consequently, there is a growing demand for autonomous detection systems that could perform in situ or point-of-use measurements. Microfluidic detection systems, which are defined by their small size, have many characteristics that make them suitable for environmental analysis. Some of these advantages include portability, high sample throughput, reduced reagent consumption and waste generation, and reduced production cost. This review focusses on developments in the application of microfluidic detection systems to heavy metal detection in water. Microfluidic detection strategies based on optical techniques, electrochemical techniques, and quartz crystal microbalance are discussed.
Highlights
Heavy metal pollution of drinking water is a critical issue affecting numerous countries worldwide
A wide range of techniques have been employed for heavy metal detection in water, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) [25,26], graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) [27], energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) [28], inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) [29], and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) [30]
Shristav et al developed a method for simultaneous lead and copper detection in water samples using molecularly imprinted nanoparticles which were dip-coated onto an optical fibre, which was exposed to sample in a flow cell
Summary
Heavy metal pollution of drinking water is a critical issue affecting numerous countries worldwide. A wide range of techniques have been employed for heavy metal detection in water, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) [25,26], graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) [27], energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) [28], inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) [29], and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) [30] These techniques offer high analytical performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision) there are several limitations associated with them; these techniques are based on sophisticated instrumentation and require highly trained technicians in order to be correctly used and adequately maintained. This review gives an overview of developments in heavy metal monitoring using microfluidic detection systems over the last two decades, with an emphasis on optical and electrochemical based detection methods. Articles were selected for inclusion based on the analytical performance of the described devices, consideration of relevant interferants, potential for use in portable/deployable devices, and to achieve coverage of a range of relevant metals
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