3.4.3 Futuristic Biosensors
Research and development of innovative and real-time biosensor technologies are
underway. For example, the system called TIGER (Triangulation Identification for
the Genetic Evaluation of Risks) is a type of mass biosensor that detects microorganisms in the water and evaluates their potential risk [23]. Automated water
analyser computer supported system (AWACSS) which is based on immunochemical technology can measure a variety of organic pollutants in water at the low
nanogram per liter level in a single few-minutes analysis without the need of any
pre-concentration or pretreatment steps [24]. AWACSS is equipped with a software
package for remote control and web-based networking between the measurement
and control stations, global management, trend analysis, and early warning applications. Lu et al. [25] reported on detecting E. coli O157:H7 in water that use a
remote query (wireless) magnetoelastic sensor platform. Researchers are also
developing robotic biosensors that imitate the appearance of fish and are capable
of moving around in the water and sensing water properties (e.g., [26]).
4 Water Quality Monitoring Devices
Electronic handheld instruments for discrete water temperature and conductivity
measurements have been around since the 1950s, but more advanced sensors such
as dissolved oxygen and pH became available in the early 1960s. These instruments
range the gamut from simple single parameter thermistors for measuring water
temperature to more complex multiparameter instruments (described below) capable of being equipped with multiple physical, chemical, and optical sensors. Many
of today’s instruments are capable of being calibrated by the end user with known
standards and feature digital displays, data logging capability, and in some cases
built-in GPS for data georeferencing. Historically, these instruments have been
used for fixed period measurement regimes (e.g., daily, weekly, or monthly) and
have augmented water quality sample collection for subsequent laboratory analysis.
As a result of electronic and sensor developments over the last 60+ years, these
instruments have become extremely accurate and are standard for many monitoring
programs today (Fig. 15).
The first multiparameter data sondes were introduced in the late 1960s, but their
early use was primarily limited to discrete water quality measurements. It wasn’t
until the late 1980s/early 1990s that multiparameter data sondes advanced to the
point that they were practical to use for continuous unattended water quality
monitoring, providing temporally intensive data records (e.g., every 15 min).
Multiparameter water quality sondes are capable of being equipped with multiple physical, chemical, and optical sensors (Fig. 16). These instruments typically
feature a built-in data logger, internal batteries for unattended deployment, antifouling capabilities (e.g., copper alloys and wipers) for increased deployment
Advances in Water Sensor Technologies and Real-Time Water Monitoring
195
Research and development of innovative and real-time biosensor technologies are
underway. For example, the system called TIGER (Triangulation Identification for
the Genetic Evaluation of Risks) is a type of mass biosensor that detects microorganisms in the water and evaluates their potential risk [23]. Automated water
analyser computer supported system (AWACSS) which is based on immunochemical technology can measure a variety of organic pollutants in water at the low
nanogram per liter level in a single few-minutes analysis without the need of any
pre-concentration or pretreatment steps [24]. AWACSS is equipped with a software
package for remote control and web-based networking between the measurement
and control stations, global management, trend analysis, and early warning applications. Lu et al. [25] reported on detecting E. coli O157:H7 in water that use a
remote query (wireless) magnetoelastic sensor platform. Researchers are also
developing robotic biosensors that imitate the appearance of fish and are capable
of moving around in the water and sensing water properties (e.g., [26]).
4 Water Quality Monitoring Devices
Electronic handheld instruments for discrete water temperature and conductivity
measurements have been around since the 1950s, but more advanced sensors such
as dissolved oxygen and pH became available in the early 1960s. These instruments
range the gamut from simple single parameter thermistors for measuring water
temperature to more complex multiparameter instruments (described below) capable of being equipped with multiple physical, chemical, and optical sensors. Many
of today’s instruments are capable of being calibrated by the end user with known
standards and feature digital displays, data logging capability, and in some cases
built-in GPS for data georeferencing. Historically, these instruments have been
used for fixed period measurement regimes (e.g., daily, weekly, or monthly) and
have augmented water quality sample collection for subsequent laboratory analysis.
As a result of electronic and sensor developments over the last 60+ years, these
instruments have become extremely accurate and are standard for many monitoring
programs today (Fig. 15).
The first multiparameter data sondes were introduced in the late 1960s, but their
early use was primarily limited to discrete water quality measurements. It wasn’t
until the late 1980s/early 1990s that multiparameter data sondes advanced to the
point that they were practical to use for continuous unattended water quality
monitoring, providing temporally intensive data records (e.g., every 15 min).
Multiparameter water quality sondes are capable of being equipped with multiple physical, chemical, and optical sensors (Fig. 16). These instruments typically
feature a built-in data logger, internal batteries for unattended deployment, antifouling capabilities (e.g., copper alloys and wipers) for increased deployment
Advances in Water Sensor Technologies and Real-Time Water Monitoring
195