Sensing & Monitoring Low Cost Biosensor for Continuous Real-Time Environmental Monitoring

Energy, Mining and Environment

Background The National Research Council (NRC) has developed a real-time early warning system (REWS) for water quality moni-toring specifically for toxicity related to metals. This system can be used in var-ious environmental applications, includ-ing monitoring of mining effluents. In particular, REWS can be incorporated into environmental management plans that address acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching (ML) from active, closed or orphaned mining sites.

Technology Description The REWS biosensor is based on bioe-lectrochemical principles (electron transfer by electroactive bacteria to / from an electrode). Electron donors (or-ganic matter, ammonium compounds) increase the biosensor output. On the other hand, electron acceptors e.g. (metal ions) decrease the biosensor out-put. Results illustrating continuous monitoring of heavy metals-related tox-icity in mining effluents by the REWS are shown in the graph below.

The REWS prototype developed at NRC has low power requirements, can oper-ate for up to one year on a single battery charge, as well as can be powered by alternative energy sources such as solar

or wind energy. Also, remote data trans-mission capability is integrated with the sensor design.

Floating REWS prototype with data transmission capability

Opportunities for the envi-ronmental industry A decision tool to drive purposeful

sampling and better environmental management;

Real-time qualitative monitoring re-duces monitoring costs for sites with limited access;

Effluent quality information that is more representative of site condi-tions;

Access to robust data for under-standing changes in site conditions over time.

An early warning system facilitat-ing problem prevention and elimi-nating human errors related to sample collection and analysis.

NRC expertise Our multidisciplinary team of re-searchers has extensive expertise in the development of sensors (in-cluding remote autonomous sen-sors) and prototyping.

Features

Environmental risk early warning (alarm) Low power requirements Easily integrated with alternative energy Flexible deployment: range of temperatures Floating (large water bodies) or flow through (in-process) de-signs Monitoring of groundwater and surface water in remote loca-tions Detection of multiple contami-nants including metal sulfates, ammonium, and hydrocarbons Functionality in a broad range of temperatures

NRC is ready to collaborate with industry stakeholders to deploy this technology. If you are interested, please contact:

Ademola Adekunle Ademola.Adekunle@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca