Development of an integrated microfluidic algal biosensor for water pollution: tests on real samples
Résumé
In this work, we present an achieved fluorimeter used for water pollution detection. The principle of detection is based on the A-chlorophyll fluorescence measurement of microalgae, inserted by capillarity into low-cost and disposable xurography-based microfluidic chips. Three microalgae populations were used to develop the biosensor: Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Ps), and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr). The algal concentration and the light intensity were optimized beforehand to calibrate the biosensor sensitivity with a pesticide (Diuron). Finally, the biosensor was employed for the pollution level measurement of 10 aqueous urban polluted samples (7 urban wet-weather discharges and 3 wastewater) in order to prove its reliability, reproducibility, and performance. Results are very promising, and leads to more complex chips in the future.