WATER & WASTE TREATMENT


Sponsored by ENSURING WATER SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY


Electrochemical sensors are a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to revolutionise water quality monitoring


quality problems.


Alix Joseph, Global Sales & Marketing Director at Linxens Healthcare, discusses the important role electrochemical sensors play in water quality monitoring


recent study on global water scarcity, published in the August 2024 issue of Nature, shows that by 2020, 12.34 million square kilometres or about 8% of the world’s land area, was affected by water scarcity, mainly in Asia and Africa, and that new areas of water scarcity will emerge mainly in Africa, affecting countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan. This is a reminder that water is essential for life and that water quality testing plays a vital role in safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, supporting economic activities and meeting the challenges posed by factors such as climate change.


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Unsafe water quality is a global problem affecting billions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation services. This means that nearly half of the world's population is at risk of waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid and it is estimated that unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) contributes to nearly 440,000 deaths of children under the age of five each year. Unsafe WASH also contributes to a range of other health problems, including malnutrition, stunting, and trachoma. In addition to the health impacts, unsafe water quality also has a significant economic impact. The WHO estimates that the global economic cost of unsafe WASH is US$2.6 trillion per year, or 1.8% of global GDP. These costs are due to a number of factors, including lost productivity, health care costs, and the cost of


26 NOVEMBER 2024 | PROCESS & CONTROL


treating waterborne diseases. Water quality monitoring is essential for identifying and controlling pollution, ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies, and protecting the aquatic environment. Traditional methods of water quality monitoring often rely on laboratory analysis. Traditional testing methods include physical testing (turbidity, temperature); chemical testing (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nutrients); and biological testing (fecal


monitoring is essential for controlling pollution, ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies and protecting the aquatic environment


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coliform, total coliform pathogens). These traditional testing methods can be time consuming and costly. In addition, they may not provide real-time data, making it difficult to respond quickly to changes in water quality. Electrochemical and physicochemical sensors offer a promising alternative to traditional water quality monitoring methods. These sensors can detect a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and pathogens. They are also capable of providing real-time data, enabling rapid identification and response to water


” Water quality


Electrochemical sensors are based on the principle that certain chemicals produce an electrical signal when they interact with an electrode. This signal can be measured and used to determine the concentration of the contaminant in the water. In this way, it is possible to detect many typical water quality parameters such as conductivity, free chlorine content, pH and REDOX, but also metals such as arsenic or other pollutants. Such monitoring is essential to assess the quality of drinking water, industrial waste or the impact of agriculture.


Electrochemical sensors offer several advantages over traditional water quality monitoring methods, including : • Selectivity: Electrochemical sensors can be designed to be highly selective for specific contaminants, reducing interference from other chemicals in the water. • Sensitivity: Electrochemical sensors can detect very low concentrations of contaminants, making them ideal for monitoring for trace contaminants. • Real-time data: Electrochemical sensors can provide real-time water quality data, enabling rapid identification and response to changes in water quality. • Portability: Electrochemical sensors are often small and portable, making them easy to use in remote or hard-to-reach locations. • Low cost: Electrochemical sensors are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate, making them a cost-effective solution for water quality monitoring.


In addition, electrochemical sensors are a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to revolutionise water quality monitoring. As technology advances, electrochemical sensors will become more sensitive, selective, and affordable, making them an even more powerful tool for protecting water resources and public health.


Since water quality monitoring is essential for safeguarding human health and the environment, electrochemical sensors offer a promising alternative to traditional water quality monitoring methods by providing real- time, accurate, and cost-effective water quality data. As these sensors continue to improve, they will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources.


Linxens Healthcare healthcare.linxens.com


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