DOT has delivered a Phosphate Sensor to the University of Windsor
The Phosphate Sensor is an autonomous microfluidic ‘lab-on-chip’ sensor that employs colorimetric absorbance spectrophotometry, using the phosphomolybdenum blue (PMB) assay modified by the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), to measure phosphate concentrations in seawater.
The Phosphate Sensor may be programmed to take samples 1/minute to 1/day depending on the user’s requirements. Every third sample runs through a NIST traceable standard for calibration purposes to ensure each sample is accurate.
High phosphate concentrations are directly related to harmful algae blooms (HABs) or “red tides” which cause detrimental effects on the surrounding ecosystem by introducing high concentrations of toxins, causing water deoxygenation, and other negative impacts.
R. Michael McKay, Ph.D., Director and Professor at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research of the University of Windsor adds:
“Proliferation of noxious and harmful cyanobacterial blooms in the Laurentian Great Lakes remains one of the biggest challenges faced toward ensuring this multi trillion-dollar natural resource remains swimmable, drinkable and fishable for generations to come. These blooms are fueled by agricultural fertilizers, in particular phosphorus, originating in Great Lakes watersheds. Adding this ‘Made in Canada’ Lab-on-a-Chip Phosphate Sensor technology to a Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network buoy in the nearshore of Lake Erie will allow us to deliver reliable data on phosphorus loading to federal agencies responsible for upholding commitments to the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement as we commence field operations as part of a new Canada Water Agency Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystems Initiative project focused on the Leamington Tributaries, at the heart of Canada’s multi-billion dollar greenhouse sector.”
For more information on Dr. McKay’s research, please visit the following link: https://www.uwindsor.ca/glier/264/dr-robert-michael-mckay
