Biosensors for the Detection of Toxic Contaminants from Water Reservoirs Essential for Potable and Agriculture Needs: A Review

Abstract

Water is an essential element for the existence of life on the earth. All the living beings including plants and animals were depends on water for their survival. Human should intake at least 3-4 litters of water every day for proper body functions. Agriculture productivity is also solely depending on the availability of fresh and cultivable water resources. Most of the fresh and cultivable water reservoirs on the globe were contaminated due to the vigorous anthropometric activities and due to the continuous release of industrial effluent comprising toxic heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr) and Zinc (Zn) and other elements i.e, Nitrates (N), Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P). Though N, P, K is essential for plant growth, but the higher levels in drinking water cause serious health issues. To have good quality of water for potable and agriculture purpose the toxic contaminants of the water reservoirs need to be screened &, measured accurately and further to be removed employing green methods. Sensors are the most advanced technology available today to screen and detect the water contaminants with high sensitivity and accuracies. Present review aimed to discuss the toxic impacts of water contaminants such as Fluoride, heavy metals i.e., Lead, Nickel, Cobalt, and other elements i.e Nitrate, Potassium, Phosphorous, further thrown insightful light on literature pertaining to the various sensors with their advantages and limitation in screening, detecting and real time monitoring of the water contaminants. Existing sensor technology unable to detect multiple water contaminants. There exists the research problem and can be addressed by developing an integrated biosensor employed to detect multiple water contaminant, and to provide scope for real time monitoring of toxic contaminants including the heavy metals.