Environmental Contaminant Detection
Environmental Contaminant Detection - Related Videos
09:17
Detection of Bacteriophages in Environmental Samples
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - The University of Arizona Demonstrating Author: Alex Wassimi Viruses are a unique group of biological entities that infect both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. They are obligate parasites that have no metabolic capacity, and in order to replicate, rely on host metabolism to produce viral parts that self-assemble inside host cells. Viruses are ultramicroscopic—too small to be viewed with the light microscope, visible only with...
11:26
Ecotoxicological Method with Marine Bacteria Vibrio anguillarum to Evaluate the Acute Toxicity of Environmental Contaminants
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Cited by 10 •
2017
This work describes a new protocol to assess the ecotoxicity of pollutants, including emerging contaminants such as nanomaterials, using the marine bacterium Vibrio anguillarum. This method allows for the determination of the LC50, or mortality, the concentration that causes a 50% decrease in bacteria culturability, after a 6 h exposure.
13:34
Detecting Environmental Microorganisms with the Polymerase Chain Reaction and Gel Electrophoresis
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - Arizona University Demonstrating Author: Bradley Schmitz Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to detect microorganisms that are present in soil, water, and atmospheric environments. By amplifying specific sections of DNA, PCR can facilitate the detection and identification of target microorganisms down to the species, strain, and serovar/pathovar level. The technique can also be utilized to characterize entire...
03:08
Detecting Bacterial Contamination Using Magneto-fluorescent Nanosensors
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2025
This video demonstrates a technique to detect bacterial contaminants in food and water samples using nanosensors. The target pathogenic bacteria are detected through a combination of magnetic relaxation and fluorescence emission modalities.
08:13
A Filter-based Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Assay for Rapid Detection of Chemical Contaminants
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Cited by 8 •
2016
A procedure for fabrication and performing the filter-based surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) assay for the detection of chemical contaminants (i.e., pesticide ferbam and antibiotic ampicillin) is presented.
FAQs
Representative sampling ensures that measurements reflect the environmental location, material, or organism being studied rather than an unusual portion of it. Samples may come from air, water, soil, or living organisms, depending on the question. Reliable sampling strengthens comparisons with calibrated standards or biological responses and supports sound conclusions about exposure and ecological risk.
Analytical methods commonly separate substances in a sample, recognize the target contaminant, and quantify it from a measured signal. Researchers may compare that signal with calibrated standards, which provide a reference for measurement, or assess a biological response produced by exposure. These approaches connect observations in a sample with the presence or amount of a target substance.
Chemical measurements identify and quantify substances, whereas biological responses can show how contaminants affect living systems. Using both types of evidence helps connect environmental presence with toxicity or exposure. In biology, this combined perspective is useful for interpreting whether detected pollutants are associated with organismal effects, bioaccumulation, or broader ecological change.
A typical investigation begins by selecting representative samples from air, water, soil, or organisms. The samples are then examined with an analytical method that separates, recognizes, and measures target substances, or with a biological response approach. Results are interpreted against calibrated standards or response patterns to evaluate exposure, contamination, and possible environmental significance.
Biologists use detection data to study how organisms encounter contaminants, how pollutants produce toxic effects, and whether substances accumulate in living systems. Measurements can also help trace contaminant movement through food webs and relate pollutant levels to ecological change. These applications connect chemical observations with organismal and ecosystem-level questions.
Measurements provide evidence for pollution monitoring, environmental regulation, and remediation decisions. Repeated or targeted detection can reveal contamination requiring attention and help investigate how pollutants move through ecosystems. The same information supports early warning systems for emerging threats by linking measured contaminants or biological responses with potential risks to ecosystems and human health.