Microbial potentiometric sensor technology for real-time detecting and monitoring of toxic metals in aquatic matrices

Frank C. Brown, Scott R. Burge, Kiril D. Hristovski, Russell G. Burge, Evan Taylor, David A. Hoffman

Abstract


Considering that toxic metals can affect metabolic processes in microorganisms adversely, it can be hypothesized that these metals in water matrices would induce a decrease in metabolic activity of the biofilm microorganisms populating the surface of a sensing electrode, which could be registered as a change in the open-circuit potential (OCP) generated by the biofilm microorganisms. The goal of this study was to test this hypothesis and demonstrate the underlying principle that microbial potentiometric sensor (MPS) technology could be used for long-term and real-time monitoring and detection of rapid changes in metal concentrations in realistic aquatic environments. To address the goal, four objective were addressed: (1) a batch reactor with three graphite-based MPS electrodes was fabricated; (2) a set of single-ion solutions  and one multiple ion solution were prepared  reflecting realistic concentrations of metals found in electroplating wastewaters; (3) the responses of the MPS to the simultaneous presence of multiple toxic metal ions in a single solution were measured; and (4) the changes of the MPS signals to the presence of individual  metal ion solutions were examined. While the hypothesis was validated, the study also revealed that the MPS was sufficiently sensitive to not only detect, but also quantify, toxic metal ion concentrations in aqueous solutions. The coefficients of determination, which were R2>0.995, and responsiveness of <1 μmol/L for some toxic metal cations, strongly support the performance  of MPS technology in the echelons of expensive analytical tools capable detecting and measuring trace elements.The magnitude of the MPS response was toxic metal specific. When the molar concertation normalizes the inhibition portion of the signal area, the assessed sensitivity order was: Se>Cd>Pb>Ag>Ni> Zn.  The study provides valuable information for enforcement agents, environmental professionals, and wastewater treatment operators, so toxic metal pollution and its detrimental impacts can be  prevented and mitigated.

Keywords


sensor; microbial; potentiometric; toxic metals; water; electroplating;

Full Text:

PDF

References


S. Wang, X. Xu, Y. Sun, J. Liu, H. Li. Heavy Metal Pollution in Coastal Areas of South China: A Review.” Marine Pollut. Bull., 76 (12), 7–15, (2013), doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.08.025.

B. Daylan, N. Ciliza, A. Mammodov. Hazardous Process Chemical and Water Consumption Reduction through Cleaner Production Application for a Zinc Electroplating Industry in Istanbul.” Res. Conser. Recyc., 81, 1-7, (2013), doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.09.002.

H. H. Vardhan, P. S. Kumar, R. C. Panda. A Review on Heavy Metal Pollution, Toxicity and Remedial Measures: Current Trends and Future Perspectives.” J. Molec. Liq., 290, 111197, (2019), doi:10.1016/j.molliq.2019.111197.

A. Gorokhovsky, M. Vikulova, J. I. Escalante-Garcia, E. Tretyachenko, I. Burmistrov, D. Kuznetsov, D. Yuri. Utilization of Nickel-Electroplating Wastewaters in Manufacturing of Photocatalysts for Water Purification. Process Saf. Environ. Protect., 134, 208-216, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.psep.2019.11.040.

Y. Geng, M. Wang, J. Sarkis, B. Xue, L. Zhang, T. Fujita. Spatial-Temporal Patterns and Driving Factors for Industrial Wastewater Emission in China. J. Clean. Prod., 76, 116-124, (2014), doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.047.

N. K. Pareek, Industrial Wastewater Management in Developing Countries. Water Sci. Technol., 25 (1), 69–74, (1992), doi:10.2166/wst.1992.0011.

M. Kumar, H. Furumai, I. Kasuga, F. Kurisu. Metal Partitioning and Leaching Vulnerability in Soil, Soakaway Sediments, and Road Dust in the Urban Area of Japan. Chemosphere, 252, 126605, (2020). doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126605.

M. Kumar, A. Gogoi, S. Mukherjee. Metal Removal, Partitioning and Phase Distributions in the Wastewater and Sludge: Performance Evaluation of Conventional, Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket and Downflow Hanging Sponge Treatment Systems. J. Clean. Product., 249, 119426, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119426.

C. Zhou, S. Ge, H. Yu, T. Zhang, H. Cheng, Q. Sun, R. Xiao “Environmental Risk Assessment of Pyrometallurgical Residues Derived from Electroplating and Pickling Sludges.” J. Clean. Produc., 177, 699–707, (2018). doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.285.

Q. Zhou, N. Yang, Y. Li, B. Ren, X. Ding, H. Bian, X. Yao. Total Concentrations and Sources of Heavy Metal Pollution in Global River and Lake Water Bodies from 1972 to 2017. Global Ecol. Conserv., 22, e00925, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00925.

P. Amundsen, F. J. Staldvik, A. A. Lukin, N. A. Kashulin, O. A. Popova, Y. S. Reshetnikov. Heavy Metal Contamination in Freshwater Fish from the Border Region between Norway and Russia.” Sci. Tot. Environ, 201 (3), 211-244, (1997) doi:10.1016/s0048-9697(97)84058-2.

S. Ma, H. Zhang, S. Ma, R. Wang, G. Wang, Y. Shao, C. Li. Effects of Mine Wastewater Irrigation on Activities of Soil Enzymes and Physiological Properties, Heavy Metal Uptake and Grain Yield in Winter Wheat.” Ecotox. Environ. Saf., 113, 483–490, (2015), doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.12.031.

S. Costa-Böddeker, L. X. Thuyên, P. Hoelzmann, H.C. de Stigter, P. van Gaever, H. Đức Huy, J. P. Smol, A. Schwal. Heavy Metal Pollution in a Reforested Mangrove Ecosystem (Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, Southern Vietnam): Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors over a Thirty-Year History. Sci. Tot. Environ., 716, 137035, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137035.

B. T. Nguyen, D. D. Do, T. X0 Nguyen, V. N. Nguyen, D. T. P. Nguyen, M. H. Nguyen, H. T. T. Truong, H. P. Dong, A. H. Le, Q. Bach. Seasonal, Spatial Variation, and Pollution Sources of Heavy Metals in the Sediment of the Saigon River, Vietnam.” Environ. Pollut., 256, 113412, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113412.

J.A. Vilas–Boas, S. J. Cardoso, M.V. X. Senra, A. Rico, R. J. P. Dias. Ciliates as Model Organisms for the Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals: A Meta–Analysis. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., 199, 110669, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110669.

X. Zeng, S. Li, Y. Leng, X. Kang. Structural and Functional Responses of Bacterial and Fungal Communities to Multiple Heavy Metal Exposure in Arid Loess. Sci. Tot. Environ., 723, 138081, (2020). doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138081.

S. A. Bhat, G. Cui, W. Li, Y. Wei, F. Li “Effect of Heavy. Metals on the Performance and Bacterial Profiles of Activated Sludge in a Semi-Continuous Reactor. Chemosphere, 241, 125035, (2020), doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125035.

S. R. Burge, K. D. Hristovski, R. G. Burge, D. A. Hoffman, D. Saboe, P. Chao., E. Taylor, S. S. Koenigsberg, Microbial potentiometric sensor: A new approach to longstanding challenges, Sci. Tot. Environ. 742, 140528 (2020) doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140528

H. Huth, Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant, AZPDES-Permit Modifications to Improve Communication and Binational Support, IBWC Binational Technical Committee Meeting, Nogales AZ, USA. February 12, 2014.

M.B. Lester, C. van Riper III, Distribution and extent of heavy metal accumulation in Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), upper Santa Cruz River watershed, southern Arizona, 2011–12: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report, 2014-1072, 2014. dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141072.

U.S. Geological Survey. Guidelines and Standard Procedures for Continuous Water-Quality Monitors: Site Selection, Field Operation, Calibration, Record Computation, and Reporting. Reston: U.S. Geological Survey, 2000.

APHA. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 23sted. Washington, DC, New York: American Public Health Association; (2018).




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20450/mjcce.2020.2088

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


Copyright (c) 2020 Frank C. Brown, Scott R. Burge, Kiril D. Hristovski, Russell G. Burge, David A. Hoffman

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.