Microbially-based sensors for environmental monitoring

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of surface water monitoring. More specifically, the present invention provides low-cost, real-time bio-electrochemical sensors for surface water monitoring based on the metabolism of one or more electrogenic microbes.

主权项

1. A bio-electrochemical system for detecting the presence or absence of at least one targeted chemical in a medium comprising:
a working electrode comprising a cathode or an anode; and at least a first electrically active micro-organism disposed in proximity to the working electrode, wherein said micro-organism selectively interacts with the working electrode based upon the presence or absence of the targeted chemical to produce an electric current; said at least first electrically active micro-organism uses the targeted chemical as an electron donor or electron acceptor instead of the working electrode; wherein the electric current produced by the system in the presence of the targeted chemical is less than the electric current produced in the absence of the target chemical.