title: Ion-specific nutrient management in closed systems: the necessity for ion-selective sensors in terrestrial and space-based agriculture and water management systems.
abstract: The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry's demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Space Agency, Space Science and Technology, 6767 route de l'aéroport, Longueuil, QC J3Y 8Y9, Canada. mbamsey@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bamsey
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Cody
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berinstain
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions / Q000032:analysis; D013026:Space Flight; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D014867:Water