The application of microfluidics to continuous water toxicity monitoring

Mele, Emanuele 2013. The application of microfluidics to continuous water toxicity monitoring. MPhil Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The bioluminescence of certain marine bacteria (e.g., Vibrio fischeri), when in sufficient densities, provides a means by which the quality of water may be quantified as a whole organism response to harmful agents present within their microenvironment. This luminescence may be recorded by photodetectors, and the effects of toxic agents on the bacteria monitored as variations in light output. Such fundamental mechanisms are the basis for conventional water toxicity analysis instruments. The development of a process by which the above analysis may be carried out in a continuous fashion has been successfully proven. The Continuous Toxicity Monitor (CTM), currently commercialised by Modern Water Ltd, is able to detect water toxicity in water and wastewater based on the above described mechanism thus acting as an early warning system. Based on a predetermined set of initial requirements necessary to reduce the size of the system, and accordingly to the objectives of this research, it was carried an investigation that resulted in discrete number of improvements to the CTM. Said set of discrete improvements, as an outcome of two years’ worth of research on the development of a new water toxicity analyser “NANOTOX” are reported herein. These improvements represent the next stages of this development of the CTM as a miniaturized, planar microfluidic system using a polymer chip. This new water toxicity analyser aspires to provide a solution to the critical need for a small, fast and more economical method to indicate the level of water toxicity. This could ultimately allows the deployment of continuous water toxicity monitoring in areas where such a need is paramount, such as (i) for water intake protection, (ii) effluent discharge and reuse, as well as, (iii) the treatment of water distribution systems.

Item Type:	Thesis (MPhil)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Vibrio Fischeri; Water Quality Monitor; Microfluidic; Chilled Bacteria; Stepped Flow Mixer; Bacteria In Segmented Flow.
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 July 2016
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2017 12:17
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/92298

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