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Wireless Sensor Device Rapidly Detects E. coli in Water Samples

  • Dec 08, 2011

Fecal contamination of public beaches caused by sewage overflow is both dangerous for swimmers and costly for state and local economies. Current methods to detect Escherichia coli, a bacterium highly indicative of the presence of fecal matter in water, typically require 24-48 hours to produce a result. A new, accurate, and economical sensor-based device capable of measuring E. coli levels in water samples in less than 1-8 hours could serve as a valuable early warning tool and is described in an article in Environmental Engineering Science.

The article provides a detailed description of the autonomous, wireless, in-situ (AWISS), battery-powered device, which contains a prototype optical sensor that can measure changes in fluorescence intensity in a water sample. In the presence of E. coli bacteria an enzymatic reaction will cause an increase in fluorescence. The AWISS can detect high concentrations of bacteria in less than 1 hour and lower concentrations in less than 8 hours.
 
Jeffrey Talley (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD) and colleagues (Environmental Technology Solutions, Gilbert, AZ, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS), present the results of a 7-day demonstration project using the AWISS device. The detection system developed is able to collect and analyze a water sample every 6 hours and to employ wireless transmission to send the data collected to remote monitoring stations. The authors compare the effectiveness of the AWISS to other E. coli detection methods currently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 
"Pathogens in the aquatic environment pose significant human and ecological health risks. The work of Professor Talley and his colleagues in developing a remote sensing instrument to detect and transmit pathogen water quality information is a major advance in helping safeguard human health," says Domenico Grasso, PhD, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President for Research, Dean of the Graduate College, University of Vermont (Burlington).

SOURCE: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Comments

Thu, Mar 15, 2012

There are many sources of e-coli contamination, traceable beach sources we have found are human, equine, pig and avian. We've found a major source to be from (avian) over-night roosting of trans-migratory birds during moon high tide conditions along beaches and protected wildlife preserve drainage after rain events. The standard beach testing doesn't discriminate between the sources.

Mon, Mar 12, 2012 graceS

To have a cellphone and E. coli detector in one makes this device very convenient. E. coli can be found in uncooked meat and a lot of other sources. It's good news that http://www.appisaurus.com/3268-e-coli-detector-attachment/ DOT . You can carry it anywhere and check the food before you eat it.

Thu, Dec 15, 2011 John Flesher

Every swimmer releases E. Coli to the water. How does this level compare to a typical contamination of concern and instrument detection limits?

Wed, Dec 14, 2011 Tom Jersey - USA

Very cool way of detecting Escherichia coli, a bacterium which is not a pathogen but a common bacteria in all warm blooded animal's gut ....This idea is right on the cutting edge ... props to Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD for their forward thinking!

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