A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and water quality monitoring: A system for detecting harmful algal bloom

Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) or “Red tides” are organisms which produce toxins which are harmful to humans, fish, and other marine mammals. The said toxins come from dinoflagellates of genus Pyrodinium Bahamense var Compressum that cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and Dinophysis Caudata and Prorocentrum lima which results to Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP). In the coast of Western Samar, Philippines, there are reported occurrences of red tide toxins based on the laboratory result conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Local Government Unit (LGUs). HAB or Red tide has an impact on economy in terms of the loss of livelihood, sales, and exports, and also in terms of human life. This study developed a system that automatically detects the presence of red tide toxins and water quality parameters. Red Tide toxins and water quality parameters are determinant factors in detecting and forecasting the occurrence of HAB. In particular, the system utilizes a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Water Quality parameter sensors used in detecting red-tide toxins and water quality. Data or information collected and generated by the system can be used for a faster, effective and efficient way of detecting and predicting the possible occurrence of HAB. Results positively indicate that the system performance can indeed be used as a Method in the detection and prediction of Harmful Algal Bloom. Specifically, for a time period of 80 minutes, 16 different sets of water parameters are captured and transmitted to the centralize system - making the system to be 100% functional as it is being set to operate in 5 minutes interval. Likewise, SPR bio toxin detection has a deviation rate of (+/-) 20%. Operational performance of the system is found to be 100%.