tricloSENSE - Fluorescent sensor for triclosan and analogous chemical pollutants in water bodies

环境污染物排放到水体中对水生生物和人类健康都构成威胁。定期和广泛的水污染监测是早期识别污染事件的必要条件，但是现有的实验室检测技术不能满足这一需要。“三氯生”项目将开发用于水体中包括三氯生在内的内分泌干扰物痕量检测的光学传感器，适用于现场部署和监测。三氯生被认为是一种持久性环境污染物，由于其在医疗保健和消费品中广泛用作防腐剂、防腐剂和消毒剂而进入环境。它影响内分泌系统、免疫系统，对水生生物有急性毒性作用。tricloSENSE将开发首个针对三氯生及相关含酚类内分泌干扰污染物的选择性薄膜光学传感器。新的荧光分子将被合成以与目标分析物相互作用并产生可检测的荧光信号。这些分子将被纳入薄膜宿主的纳米工程，以控制光物理相互作用，从而最大限度地选择性检测目标污染物。优化后的传感器将使用便携式光电检测系统在实际水样中进行评估。因此，该项目旨在推进化学传感技术，以便在进入水体或进入地下水之前监测、控制和清除废水中的三氯生和相关污染物。

The release of environmental pollutants into water bodies present both a threat to aquatic life and to human health. Regular and widespread water pollution monitoring is needed for the early identification of pollution events, but existing laboratory-based detection technologies do not serve this need. The tricloSENSE project will develop optical sensors for trace detection in water bodies of the endocrine disruptors including triclosan, suitable for in-situ deployment and monitoring. Triclosan has been recognized as a persistent environmental pollutant which enters the environment from its widespread use as an antiseptic, preservative and disinfectant in healthcare and consumer products. It affects the endocrine system, immune system and has acute toxic effects on aquatic life. tricloSENSE will develop the first selective thin film optical sensors for triclosan and related phenol-containing endocrine disrupting pollutants. Novel fluorescent molecules will be synthesized to interact with the target analyte and produce detectable fluorescent signals. These molecules will be incorporated into thin films hosts nano-engineered to control the photophysical interactions, and hence maximise the selective detection of target pollutants. The optimised sensors will be evaluated in real water samples using a portable optoelectronic detection system. The project thereby aims to advance chemical sensing technology to enable monitoring, control, and removal of triclosan and related pollutants from effluents before entering waterbodies or reachingthe ground water.