Portable fluorescent sensing array for monitoring heavy metals in water

The availability of clean water is of fundamental importance to human health and survival, as a habitat for aquatic species, for farming and industrial use. Water quality is likely the most important factor in maintaining the health in both farmed and wild fish. Understanding water quality is critically important in facilities which reuse a large percentage of system water. Heavy metals can have a major impact on aquatic health and have a tendency to accumulate in the food chain. In this study we describe a novel fluorescence sensor for the detection of heavy metal ions in water. Fluorophores immobilized in a polymer membrane were excited using an array of LEDs and the fluorescent emission measured via a CCD camera. This novel portable device is comprised of a 3×3 array of sensing elements across which the water sample is pumped and the fluorescence image generated is used to determine the metal ion content. Herein we demonstrate this approach for the detection of Cu (II) ions in water.