An attractive option is the development of inexpensive sensors of particular agricultural chemicals that could be used in situ to monitor ground or surface waters. Our laboratory has developed a sensing strategy that results in fiber optic biosensors capable of detecting chlorinated organic compounds at low concentrations. These biosensors rely on particular enzymes that recognize the analyte and transform it to a product that is readily measured. In the past year, we have worked on developing such a biosensor for atrazine. Of the two, strain ATZ1 functions better as the biocomponent in the sensor.
Current work is directed toward further characterizing and improving the sensor performance.
The sensor will also be tested in a soil column. Publications Campbell, D.W. Development of Biosensors for Detection of Halogenated Groundwater Contaminants.