GE Bacteria Used as Water Contaminant Indicator
August 19, 2015| |
Researchers from FredSence Technologies in Canada developed a simple, cheap, and efficient tool to monitor water quality. The new tool is called FRED, which stands for Field-ready Electrochemical Detector. It uses genetically enhanced bacteria that sense different water-borne contaminants and then emit an electrical signal that indicates the intensity of contamination.
The bacteria are placed in cartridges in a tester kit that are used for spot tests. Water is injected manually or automatically through the tubes, then into the cartridges containing the GE bacteria, chemicals and other components needed for the test. In the presence of contaminant, such as high level of arsenic, the GE bacteria produce an electroactive chemical as indicator.
"You can leave this box on-site and then from there you can wirelessly monitor remote locations without needing to go there and physically take a sample yourself," Emily Hicks, one of founders of FredSense Technologies.
FRED could be used in testing water close to mining sites, water treatment plants or anywhere clean, fresh, water is required.
Read more about FRED from Discovery News and Fast Co Exist .
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