Division/Committee: [ENVR] Division of Environmental Chemistry

Rapid identification of chemical and biological contaminants in water is important in numerous resource limited environments such as agricultural fields, military theaters, economically disadvantaged regions, and areas affected by natural disaster. Current water quality assessment practices typically rely on acquiring samples from remote locations that are shipped to a distant laboratory for analysis. A need exists for new technologies for rapid contaminant detection at the source to assess potential hazards in real time. The focus of this symposium is to highlight novel and innovative technologies amenable for portable sensors to detect chemical and biological water contaminants in remote environments. Presentations may include summaries of existing sensor technologies and needs, novel detection systems, or innovative methods to address current research gaps. Possible chemical contaminants of interest include heavy metals, toxic industrial chemicals, pesticides/herbicides, perfluorinated compounds, and others not listed here. Possible biological contaminants of interest include bacterial and viral pathogens, parasites, toxins, and others not listed here. The symposium will showcase a diverse array of research topics within the theme for professionals actively working on sensing technologies and those wanting to acquire knowledge of the state of the art. The session will facilitate future collaborations to provide scientific solutions to address gaps in portable sensors for real-time water quality assessment.

Sarah Pilkenton

Framingham State University

Appearances