Microsensor-Based Detection of HABs and Cyanotoxins

Triton Systems Inc. proposes to leverage its communications and sensor technologies to design, build, and test a novel system for identification of harmful algae blooms (HABs) via detection of phytoplankton α, phycocyanin, and cyanobacteria toxins in terrestrial water sources. HABs are a major environmental issue in all 50 states, and in the most extreme cases severely impact the health of local aquatic ecosystems, and by extension human and animal health. Identification of HABs is currently limited to optical methods, and identification of associated toxins with highly labor intensive lab-based methods (i.e. ELISA). Our technology will monitor chlorophyll α & phycocyanin (surrogates for phytoplankton and cyanobacteria, respectively) and cyanotoxins via integration with satellite imaging technologies and a network of unattended microsensors for in situ monitoring remotely. Triton’s proposed solution for HAB detection has two key components. The first, remote sensing of freshwater algal blooms, will leverage established satellite systems to image terrestrial water sources. Remote sensing platforms are a cost-effective solution for detecting and monitoring algal blooms in terrestrial water sources, and encompass multiple sensing platforms (i.e. ground-based, spaceborne, airborne, and unmanned aerial UAV systems). Triton intends to leverage satellite sensing to observe changes in watercolor, which can be correlated with algal concentrations and identification of HABs. The second, a cyanotoxin in-situ detector, will quantify multiple cyanotoxins and will be integrated into a low-power sensor node for unattended monitoring, avoiding the need for laboratory analysis. Our molecular sensors are customized to have a “lock-and-key� response to unique cyanotoxins and are much less expensive than laboratory detectors with similar sensitivities. Microsensors can sample data in the field without the need for reagents or sample prep and transmit the data remotely. Phase I will establish recognition of customized sensing elements to a candidate cyanotoxin target and assemble a prototype sensor node with wireless connectivity to a centralized data processing hub and communication gateway. Phase I will also focus on developing a data compression algorithm for efficient microsensor data transfer. Phase II will advance our microsensor technology by adding sensor elements for additional cyanotoxin targets and connecting multiple sensor nodes. Phase II will culminate in a self-charging networked array of unattended microsensor-based water quality sensor nodes designed to efficiently and frequently transfer data for remote interpretation and response.