REMOTE ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSOR FOR FIELD MONITORING OF PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS

A submersible probe for monitoring of phenolic compounds at large samp le/instrument distances is described. A specially designed device, com prising a specially designed tyrosinase enzyme electrode coupled to a 50-ft long shielded cable (via environmentally sealed connectors), is used. Challenges associated with the adaptation of enzyme electrodes t o remote sensing are addressed. Variables relevant to field operations are explored and discussed. The combination of biocatalytic recogniti on and amperometric transduction offers highly selective measurements of micromolar concentrations of phenolic substrates in untreated river and groundwater samples. The concept seems suited for the remote moni toring of other environmentally relevant compounds via a judicious sel ection of the biorecognition element.