title: Detection of explosives in a dynamic marine environment using a moored TNT immunosensor.
abstract: A field demonstration and longevity assessment for long-term monitoring of the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in a marine environment using an anti-TNT microfluidic immunosensor is described. The TNT immunosensor is comprised of a microfluidic device with 39 parallel microchannels (2.5 cm × 250 µm × 500 µm, L × W × D) fabricated in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), then chemically functionalized with antibodies possessing a high affinity for TNT. Synthesized fluorescence reporter complexes used in a displacement-based assay format were used for TNT identification. For field deployment the TNT immunosensor was configured onto a submersible moored steel frame along with frame controller, pumps and TNT plume generator and deployed pier side for intermittent plume sampling of TNT (1h increments). Under varying current and tidal conditions trace levels of TNT in natural seawater were detected over an extended period (>18 h). Overnight operation and data recording was monitored via a web interface.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. paul.charles@nrl.navy.mil.
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. andre.adams@nrl.navy.mil.
authors.forename: André A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. Jeffrey.deschamps@nrl.navy.mil.
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.affiliation: Naval Undersea Warfare Center, 1176 Howell Street, Newport, RI 02841, USA. scott.veitch@subchem.com.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veitch
authors.affiliation: SubChem Systems, Inc., 65 Pier Road, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA. hanson@subchem.com.
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. anne.kusterbeck@nrl.navy.mil.
authors.forename: Anne W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Kusterbeck
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002138:Calibration; D017753:Ecosystem; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005453:Fluorescence; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000295:instrumentation*; D044085:Microfluidics; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000032:analysis*; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D053834:Explosive Agents; D014303:Trinitrotoluene