Abstract
A new biosensor was designed for the assessment of aquatic environment quality. Three microalgae were used as toxicity bioindicators: Chlorella vulgaris, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. These microalgae were immobilized in alginate and silica hydrogels in a two step procedure. After studying the growth rate of entrapped cells, chlorophyll fluorescence was measured after exposure to (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) (DCMU) and various concentrations of the common herbicide atrazine. Microalgae are very sensitive to herbicides and detection of fluorescence enhancement with very good efficiency was realized. The best detection limit was 0.1 μM, obtained with the strain C. reinhardtii after 40 minutes of exposure.
Highlights
Deterioration of the aquatic environment by pollutants is an important problem
The hydrogel properties depend on its microstructure, which can be controlled by sol–gel synthesis variables
We investigated the degree to which the scattering of visible light affects the encapsulated algae growth rate, analyzing the number of Chlorella vulgaris cells developed in voids created inside silicate-Ludox hydrogels as a function of gel thickness [32]
Summary
Deterioration of the aquatic environment by pollutants is an important problem. Sensors 2012, 12 and ground waters and are harmful to aquatic organisms [1,2,3,4,5]. The need for convenient, quick and reliable methods to assess pollutant toxicity is more essential than ever. Environmental monitoring of pollutants with automatic systems applied online and allowing rapid response is one of the best ways to control the quality of the environment. Real time analysis offers the advantage of detecting rapidly the presence of pollutants before they cause any damage. Such a strategy is only possible through biosensors [6]
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