Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Development of a Biosensor for Monitoring of Mercury Pollution in Natural Water
EPA Grant Number: SU835086Title: Development of a Biosensor for Monitoring of Mercury Pollution in Natural Water
Investigators: Zhao, Julia Xiaojun , Hanson, Aaron , Chen, Jiao , Shephard, Kali , Fahruddin, Nenny , Ducioame, Robert , Strating, Shaina , Wu, Xu
Institution: University of North Dakota
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2011 through August 14, 2012
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Mercury is a very toxic element that is widely dispersed in the atmosphere, lithosphere, and surface water. The Red River is a major water source in the states of North Dakota and Minnesota. Unfortunately, mercury pollution has been a public concern in the Red River and other rivers and lakes in North Dakota since 1990. Due to its high toxicity, mercury is harmful even in very low concentrations. To protect the river from mercury pollution, a highly sensitive detection method is essential for accurately monitoring the mercury level. However, only few Hg2+ sensors can reach the required sensitivity. Thus, the first goal of this proposal is to develop a novel biosensor that can sensitively detect low concentration of mercury. The second goal of this project is to monitor mercury pollution in the Red River using the sensor. The third goal is to disseminate the knowledge of protection of natural water to the public by giving a series of seminars to K-12 schools and hosting workshops in the local community. An interdisciplinary student team will closely work together on these goals.
The novelty of the sensor design is to highly amplify the mercury signal using two biological approaches - rolling circle amplification (RCA) and thymine-mercury-thymine (T-Hg-T) mismatch. Due to these two steps of amplifications, the mercury signal can be enlarged by ten thousand times. Thus, a low concentration of mercury can be detected.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Our student team consists of seven students from different levels of education, three Ph.D. students, one Master student, and three undergraduate students. The students are from interdisciplinary areas, chemistry, biochemistry, and education. In this work, we use our different expertise to develop three goals to fulfill this project. The goal 1 of fabrication of the biosensor was mainly carried out by the Ph.D. students from Chemistry. The goal 2 of application of the sensor in Red River water will be largely performed by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate students. This goal will be achieved as soon as the Red River thaws. Usually, in North Dakota, the Red River thaws around the end of March. Upon the success of the application, we will apply for an US patent. The goal 3 of dissemination of the knowledge of the toxicity of mercury and the importance of the preservation of the natural water sources to the public was successfully performed by the participation of all students in this team led by a team leader, the graduate student in the College of Education at UND. Overall, we have largely integrated our knowledge to benefit our society with the support of EPA.Conclusions:
In summary, we have initially demonstrated the development of a biosensor for mercury detection. The sensor is highly selective. The sensitivity of the sensor is also high. However, we will be able to further improve the sensitivity by using two-steps of amplifications in Phase II. We have also successfully disseminated the knowledge of mercury pollution to raise awareness of its toxicity among the public.. The dissemination process includes: instruction on the knowledge of mercury, activities to determine a more efficient, low-cost, and mercury-friendly light bulb, and mercury in water samples experiment. The goal 2 of application of the method for the detection of mercury level in the Red River water will be achieved when the river has thawed.
Finally, some experiences we have encountered were eye-opening.. During our visits to the schools, we came to appreciate the opportunity that the P3 project has given us. In one visit, one of the students described a liquid mercury spill at the school. Unaware of the toxicity of mercury, students began to play with the mercury with their bare hands. Listening to this example made us realize how important it is to disseminate the knowledge of mercury to the public.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 11 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Chen J, Xiaojun Zhao J. Upconversion nanomaterials: synthesis, mechanism, and applications in sensing. Sensors 2012;12(3):2414-2435. |
SU835086 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Groundwater remediation, pathogen detection, sustainable water managementRelevant Websites:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.