Microbial sensor system for monitoring the environment and surfaces

Abstract

A microbial sensor, system and method that can be used to determine the biochemical conditions of waters, saturated sediments, unsaturated soils, rhizosphere and other environments is disclosed. The flexibility of the microbial sensor design allows for the monitoring of surfaces (skin, ventilation conduits, etc.). An electrochemical microbial sensor system is composed of an indicator electrode(s) and a reference electrode. The reference electrode employs a hydrogen permeable membrane. The electrochemical system is interfaced into a signal/communication module allowing the manual or automated collection of data from field deployments and laboratory investigations. The data is transmitted using various communication technologies including Bluetooth™, cellular, satellite and radio telemetry to cloud-based data management systems. The stored data may be downloaded by users using open-source dashboard and visualization software to image the various environments and/or surfaces investigated.