Optrode Development for Rapid and Continuous Water Monitoring

对能够原位检测水中极低浓度有机化学污染物的仪器的需求日益增长。环境保护署和许多州增加的监测要求和降低的检测限制正在迅速使现有的检测仪器过时。实时监测地下水中芳香烃的浓度是一项艰巨的任务。在实验室中，精确测量极低浓度的溶解有机物需要开发强大的分析工具。EPA批准的方法使用气相色谱法来完成这些分离。然而，所采用的敏感技术价格昂贵，不适合地下水中有机污染物的现场监测。最近最令人兴奋的分析方法之一是将光纤和电极技术融合到所谓的“光极”中。Cape Cod Associates将研究开发一种创新的光电极设备的可行性，用于检测、识别和定量水中痕量化学污染物。这种基于光纤的仪器将有一个快速反应探测器，可以测量十亿分之一的污染物浓度。该装置的潜在应用将包括：检测地下水填埋羽流中的污染物，检测冷却水系统中的化学物质以及危险废物现场监测，以及一般水质评估。Cape Cod Associates一直为众多联邦和州机构从事高度创新的环境、聚合物和材料研究。它很可能继续在其选定的研发领域作出重大贡献。

There is a growing demand for instrumentation that can detect, in-situ, very low concentrations of organic chemical contaminants in water. The increased monitoring requirements and lowered detection limits being imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well and many states, are rapidly making existing detection instrumental obsolete. Real-time monitoring of parts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater is a difficult task. In the laboratory, accurate measurement of very low concentrations of dissolved organics has required the development of powerful analytical tools. EPA approved methods use gas chromatography to accomplish these separations. However, the sensitive techniques employed are expensive and not suited to on- site monitoring of organic contaminants in groundwater. One of the most exciting recent analytical approaches is a blend of fiber optic and electrode technologies into what are called "optrodes". Cape Cod Associates will investgate the feasibility of developing an innovative optrode device for the detection, identification, and quantification of trace levels of chemical contaminants in water. This fiber optic-based instrument will have a rapid response detector that can measure contaminant concentrations in parts per billion. Potential applications for this device would include: detection of pollutants in groundwater landfill plumes, detection of chemicals in cooling water systems as well as hazardous waste site monitoring, and general water quality assessment. Cape Cod Associates has been involved in highly innovative environmental, polymer, and materials research for numerous federal and state agencies. It is likely to continue to make significant contributions in its chosen area of R&D.