Trends in microfluidic systems for in situ chemical analysis of natural waters

Abstract

Spatially and temporally detailed measurement of ocean, river and lake chemistry is key to fully understanding the biogeochemical processes at work within them. To obtain these valuable data, miniaturised in situ chemical analysers have recently become an attractive alternative to traditional manual sampling, with microfluidic technology at the forefront of recent advances. In this short critical review we discuss the role, operation and application of in situ microfluidic analysers to measure biogeochemical parameters in natural waters. We describe recent technical developments, most notably how pumping technology has evolved to allow long-term deployments, and describe how they have been deployed in real-world situations to yield detailed, scientifically useful data. Finally, we discuss the technical challenges that still remain and the key obstacles that must be negotiated if these promising systems are to be widely adopted and used, for example, in large environmental sensor networks and on low-power underwater vehicles.

Autonomous Optofluidic Chemical Analyzers for Marine Applications: Insights from the Submersible Autonomous Moored Instruments (SAMI) for pH and pCO2

“…Both instruments were also thoroughly evaluated as part of the Alliance for Coastal Technologies efforts (http://www.act-us.info/). A more comprehensive review of aquatic chemical sensors can be found in Beaton et al (2012), Rerolle et al (2013), Nightingale et al (2015), or Bagshaw et al (2016).…”

A Lab-On-Chip Phosphate Analyzer for Long-term In Situ Monitoring at Fixed Observatories: Optimization and Performance Evaluation in Estuarine and Oligotrophic Coastal Waters

“…Electrochemical reagentless sensors, which hold great promise for long-term unattended operations on fixed and mobile platforms, have recently been developed (Jońca et al, 2011(Jońca et al, , 2013bBarus et al, 2016), but require further development and extensive field testing prior to use during field campaigns. By virtue of their robustness, low reagent and power consumption (1.8 W), ability to store waste onboard and to operate using established chemical protocols in a miniaturized manifold, microfluidic Lab-On-Chip sensors are well-suited to in situ monitoring in natural waters (Beaton et al, 2012;Nightingale et al, 2015;Yücel et al, 2015). In a companion paper, Clinton-Bailey et al (2017) described a prototype phosphate LOC sensor and its application to in situ monitoring in a UK chalk stream.…”

Progress in Microfluidics‐Based Exosome Separation and Detection Technologies for Diagnostic Applications

“…Microfluidic chips now are employed in the fields of chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, agriculture, food, and environmental monitoring . Among them, applications in biomedical research and related fields are the most widely and thoroughly studied.…”