Rapid, on-site, quantitative assessments of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were demonstrated for two field applications. The platform, a KinExA Inline Sensor (Sapidyne Instruments), employed the monoclonal anti-PAH antibody, 7B2.3, which has specificity for 3- to 5-ring PAHs. A spatial study was conducted near a dredging site where contaminated sediments were being removed, and a temporal study was performed during a rainfall event. Most importantly, the generation of near real-time data guided management decisions in the field and determined proper sampling protocols for conventional analyses. The method was able to determine PAH concentrations as low as 0.3 µg/L, within 10 min of sample acquisition, and to assess 80+ samples (not including standards and blanks) in less than 3 d. These results were compared with a laboratory-based gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method in which a wide array of PAHs, including alkylated homologs, were examined. This system shows great promise as a field instrument for the rapid monitoring of PAH pollution.

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Immunoassays are becoming a suitable alternative method to classical analytical chemistry for the detection of contaminants. A synthesized immunogen and hybridoma screening protocol was employed to develop a novel high affinity anti‐dibenzothiophene (petroleum) antibody for an immunochemical‐based quantitative approach to chemical analysis. The characterization of this mAb has been completed with regards to its affinity to the targeted molecule, as well as other similar polycyclic aromatic compounds found in petroleum. Two technologies, the long‐established ELISA and a newly developed Biosensor, were compared with respect to this mAb's sensitivity and specificity. The ELISA method could detect individual compounds from 3–300 ppb, while the Biosensor could detect at low as 0.1 ppb. Based on cross‐reactivity analyses, this anti‐dibenzothiophene mAb also detects anthracene, phenanthrene, fluorene, dibenzofuran, pyrene, fluoranthene, while not detecting naphthalene or biphenyl, thereby suggesting that it is selective for the 3 and 4 ringed polycyclic aromatic compounds. Future applications of this Biosensor for detection of the water‐accommodated fraction of petroleum seem promising as an alternative or supplement to classical chemical analysis. This research has been supported by the Office of Naval Research and the College of William and Mary's School of Marine Science Student Research Grant.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a valuable resource in both clinical and environmental health. In clinical applications, mAbs have been extensively used as a diagnostic tool for the rapid evaluation of specific diseases and in targeted anti-cancer therapies, among others. Recently, mAbs have been employed in environmental monitoring applications for the detection of oil, pesticides, and many other pollutants. MAb-based biosensors have become an excellent means to achieve rapid, sensitive monitoring of a specified target. Here I describe the application of a mAb employed in a portable, user-friendly, sensor format for the detection and quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental samples. PAHs are carcinogenic and found widespread in the environment. One application of this biosensor included the monitoring of estuarine water during the dredging of PAH-contaminated sediments, revealing a plume of PAHs emanating from the dredge site. The second application was the near real-time monitoring of PAHs in stormwater run-off. The ease of technology transfer was demonstrated by the operation of the biosensor by high school students in two science programs: VIMS/NASA Governor’s School Summer Internship and NSF’s GK-12 Program. Overall, these opportunities demonstrated the utility of this biosensor to rapidly and precisely quantify PAHs in environmental samples. Moreover, this biosensor technology was successfully operated by non-professionals.

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