ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS FOR ADVANCED MICROLABS TECHNOLOGY
The application of microchip electro chromatography technology to environmental monitoring holds great promise because such applications require analysis of a selected group of analytes in a complex matrix and benefit from real time on-site and/or on-line results.
Advanced MicroLabs -- in Partnership with leading players in the Perchlorate remediation industry -- are partnering to develop an on-line on-site sub part-per-billion measurement capability. Human exposure to perchlorate – even at levels below 10 ppb -- is of concern because of the potential for impaired thyroid function due to blocking of iodine channels and leading to a number of developmental delays and other medical problems. Perchlorate, ClO4-, is a small highly water-soluble anion created by both natural and man-made sources. Manmade sources such as the manufacture and use of explosives, road flares, and rocket fuel have been linked to at least 65% of all perchlorate in ground and surface water and to almost all instances of dangerously high contamination levels.
Most water supply remediation projects rely on ion exchange resin bed reactors that operate in series as a fail-safe measure for when the first resin bed loses its ability to capture perchlorate. Resin beds and resins are the largest cost item in the remediation process. With an AML online monitoring device that would warn operators of a bed reaching its exhaustion-limit, remediation efforts could operate more cost-effectively and with greater public safety. The number of perchlorate contaminated sites in the United States ranges from 900-1,200, of which 700-900 are drinking water related sites and 200-300 are superfund sites. Based on a Frost & Sullivan Market analysis, literature, and expert opinions, AML estimates 150 remediation sites are currently in operation with the number increasing annually. As a general rule, any remediation effort lasts about 20 yrs.
Perchlorate is a challenging analyte for sensor chemistry because there are many other similar species present naturally at 3-6 orders of magnitude higher concentration that can confound most sensors. The AML approach has been to use microchip electro chromatography coupled with the patent pending electrochemical detection technology licensed by Advanced MicroLabs, LLC to detect the perchlorate following separation. The AML solution works on-line using a patent pending fluidic delivery system.
The research and results on this page were developed with funding from
NIH
and in partnership with ARA of Clearwater Florida.
Perchlorate Health Hazard
