Projects per year
Abstract
In poor and remote zones of the world, such as the Amazon region, the lack of analytical infrastructures prevents regular quality assessments of water systems. The access to affordable, portable and robust analytical technologies for real-time and on-site water monitoring is, therefore, key to safeguard vulnerable communities and the environment. In this context, we have developed and successfully implemented an electrochemical methodology for the rapid (60 s) and effective simultaneous electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions of concern (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+) in water, with a single screen-printed electrode probe. In particular, we show a wide quantification range for each pollutant (5−300 μg L−1), and detection limits below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant levels for drinking water: 0.015, 1.3 and 0.002 mg L−1 for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+, respectively. The electrochemical sensors were tested in high temperature and humidity conditions in remote areas of the Amazon river, highly affected by mining-related heavy metal pollution. The field measurements were validated against standard lab-based analytical methods, showing excellent agreement. Our methodology can lead to an affordable and portable diagnostic tool for rapid and on-site monitoring of heavy metals pollution in remote areas.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 127620 |
Journal | Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical |
Volume | 307 |
Early online date | 24 Dec 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Mar 2020 |
Funding
This project was funded by the British Council and Fondo Nacional de Financiamento para la Ciencia, la Technología y la Innovación ‘Francisco José de Caldas’, through a Newton Fund Institutional Links award ( ID275475184 ). The authors gratefully acknowledge the essential collaboration of the Indigenous Communities of Aguila and Santa Sofia in Amazon (Colombia), who have turned this work into a life experience. Appendix A
Keywords
- Amazon
- Electrochemical sensor
- Heavy metals
- Screen-printed electrodes
- Water
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Instrumentation
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Materials Chemistry
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Rapid and on-site simultaneous electrochemical detection of copper, lead and mercury in the Amazon river'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Newton Fund Industrial Links - Water Monitoring in Colombian Vulnerable Communities in a Post-Conflict Scenario
Di Lorenzo, M. (PI), Estrela, P. (CoI) & Wenk, J. (CoI)
1/04/17 → 31/12/18
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
Profiles
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Mirella Di Lorenzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering - Professor
- Faculty of Engineering and Design - Associate Dean (International)
- Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT)
- Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC)
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
- Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio)
- Bath Institute for the Augmented Human
- Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early-Warning Systems for Health Protection (CWBE)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff
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Pedro Estrela
- Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering - Professor
- Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio) - Centre Director
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation
- Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT)
- Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC)
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
- Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS)
- Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net Positive World (RENEW)
- Bath Institute for the Augmented Human
- Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early-Warning Systems for Health Protection (CWBE)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff, Affiliate staff
Equipment
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Large chamber variable pressure scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Material and Chemical Characterisation (MC2)Facility/equipment: Equipment