Detection limits for real-time source water monitoring using indigenous freshwater microalgae

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Water Environment Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2175/106143009X426095· OSTI ID:989526

Rodriguez, Jr, Miguel ^[1]; Greenbaum, Elias ^[1]

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1. ORNL

This research identified toxin detection limits using the variable fluorescence of naturally occurring microalgae in source drinking water for five chemical toxins with different molecular structures and modes of toxicity. The five chemicals investigated were atrazine, Diuron, paraquat, methyl parathion, and potassium cyanide. Absolute threshold sensitivities of the algae for detection of the toxins in unmodified source drinking water were measured. Differential kinetics between the rate of action of the toxins and natural changes in algal physiology, such as diurnal photoinhibition, are significant enough that effects of the toxin can be detected and distinguished from the natural variance. This is true even for physiologically impaired algae where diminished photosynthetic capacity may arise from uncontrollable external factors such as nutrient starvation. Photoinhibition induced by high levels of solar radiation is a predictable and reversible phenomenon that can be dealt with using a period of dark adaption of 30 minutes or more.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Work for Others (WFO)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 989526
• Journal Information: Water Environment Research, Vol. 81, Issue 11; ISSN 1061-4303
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
ALGAE
CAPACITY
DETECTION
DRINKING WATER
FASTING
FLUORESCENCE
KINETICS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
MONITORING
NUTRIENTS
PARATHION
PHYSIOLOGY
POTASSIUM
SENSITIVITY
SOLAR RADIATION
TOXICITY
TOXINS
WATER
algae
biosensors
chlorophyll fluorescence
chemical toxins
real-time monitoring