Combined physico-chemical and biological sensing in environmental monitoring

Single-use conductivity and microbial sensors were used to investigate the effect of both species (chloride, nitrate, and sulphate) and concentration/osmolarity of anions on the metabolic activity of Escherichia coli. A new disposable, single-use conductivity sensor is described which is compatible with the CellSense(TM) mediated amperometric biosensor system. The effect of changing salinity and nitrate concentration on the response of E coli to 3,5-dichlorophenol and mercuric chloride was determined. The implications for toxicity assessment of a hybrid sensing system, allowing the simultaneous monitoring of physico-chemical and biological data, are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.