A Robust, Remote, Real-Time Monitor for Orthophosphate

Increasing demands on the Nation’s vital natural resources will require extensive and ambitious R&D efforts aimed at achieving a predictive understanding of complex biological, earth, and environmental systems. Recent advances in sensing and machine learning technologies are opening up the possibility for “smart sensor” approaches to automation and optimization of data collection and analysis. Such novel approaches, if commercialized and widely available, could provide invaluable information in support of the DOE BER mission to develop predictive and quantitative models that contribute to the Nation’s goal of maintaining and strengthening our energy and infrastructure security, independence, and prosperity. Building on demonstrated expertise with robust, field-deployable sensors, the goal of this proposal is to develop and demonstrate the technical feasibility of a phosphorus sensor that can reliably provide real-time, continuous, quantitative measurements of orthophosphate and total phosphorus from multiple field sources with a single instrument. The first Technical Objective is to develop a sensor platform for distinct quantification of orthophosphate and total phosphorus. In Task 1, a Conditioner Module (CM) unit will be developed for automated pre-processing of field samples to facilitate the distinction between these two phosphorus species. In Task 2, a real-time lab-on-chip assay for quantitative orthophosphate and total phosphorus sensing will be developed, using the effluent from the CM unit. The second Technical Objective is to develop automation of multi-point, continuous field sensing. In Task 3, a multiple source water sampling system will be developed to enable measurements from several nearby pore water sites. In Task 4, sensor capabilities will be validated with performance testing using sample water from actual field sites in coordination with a DOE environmental research team. Beyond addressing a need for improved data, the proposed sensor platform could have a broader societal impact on the widespread availability of safe drinking water. Access to clean, reliable water supplies is critical to our quality of life and our economy, yet across the country millions of Americans are impacted by groundwater that doesn’t meet drinking water standards. Phosphorus is a particularly prevalent water pollutant that impacts countless freshwater systems around the world, which can undergo eutrophication under high phosphorus inputs, causing environmental and economic damage to the local region. Widespread efforts to address this water crisis will necessitate an investment in advanced sensing technologies. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to commercialize a robust sensor that not only meets the needs of the DOE BER program and the growing needs for technologies to ensure safe drinking water but is also broadly marketable. A key partnership with a commercial partner has been established to develop a rapid market entry strategy. The Phase I effort will also involve exploring the potential of agricultural and broader water quality markets, using the support provided by a commercialization assistance firm. Through these diverse partnerships, a path will be developed to demonstrate the various benefits of this technology and poise the sensor for commercial success.