Environmental micro-biosensor for detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) include several hundred chemically-related, environmentallypersistent organic compounds having various structures and varied toxicity. Most of them are formed by aprocess of thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) and subsequent recombination (pyrosynthesis) of organicmolecules from industries such as petroleum and coal PAHs are ubiquitous in Canadian soils and of concernfor human and ecosystem health due to their toxicity as carcinogens, mutagens and immunosuppressants. Theindustrial partner, Qanari Inc., has developed and validated the Safe Soil Tester, a rapid diagnostic tool thatuses a bioluminescent microorganism to qualitatively detect the presence of PAHs in contaminated soils. Whencoupled with global positioning systems, the diagnosis produces maps indicating 'hotspots' of contaminationfor further evaluation, risk assessment and remediation. Current market demands for hand-held technologieshave led Qanari to investigate the possibility of developing a micro-biosensor system that would be a smaller,portable device that is compatible with wireless technology. Qanari and McGill University will collaborate todemonstrate the proof-of-concept of a micro-biosensor and detection system, to determine the feasibility ofmicro-sizing the existing technology. Given the increasingly stringent regulations dealing with contaminationfrom PAHs in upstream oil and gas sites, petroleum storage tank sites, as well as other commercial andindustrial facilities, such a rapid detection system has tremendous commercial potential. The Canadian publicwill benefit from quick screening tools to mitigate the effect of PAHs on human and ecosystem health.