COMPARISON OF 2 TYPES OF SENSORS USING EUKARYOTIC ALGAE TO MONITOR POLLUTION OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS

Two types of amperometric environmental sensor incorporating eukaryotic algae were investigated for use in monitoring pollution of aquatic systems. Both sensors allowed the monitoring of photosynthetic events, one by measuring the rate of reduction of a redox mediator by the illuminated biocatalyst, the other by monitoring its photosynthetic oxygen production using a semi-protected oxygen electrode. Comparison of sensor response obtained prior to challenge with pollutants with that following challenge allows rapid detection of disturbance in photosynthetic activity. The oxygen electrode-based biosensor gave good sensitivity with long operational life, and proved to be a better approach than mediator system to monitor algal biocatalysts for detection of aquatic pollutants displaying toxicity on photosynthetic organisms.