Opportunity to Detect Hazardous Materials in Water Using Intercriteria Analysis

Abstract

The detection of hazardous materials in water is crucial part of the water management and monitoring. However, analyzing the entire diversity toxic compounds, potentially presented in the water is not an easy, nor economical task and sometimes it is impossible, as well. This group of chemicals varies from heavy metals ions to complex organic molecules and bio-toxins. Finding a general indicator for the toxicity presented in water and aquatic environments could be an important step toward the development of early warning systems to support decision making in water monitoring.

In this study, an integrated approach combining information form 4 different sensors is used to evaluate the water status in terms of the toxic compounds presented. Bio-electrochemical reactor is used as a sensor to evaluate the specific biological response to the toxic compounds and pH, ORP and conductivity electrodes are used to find additional correlations between the water physical parameters and the inhibitors presented. To represent the two major groups of toxic chemicals, namely the heavy metals and the aromatic hydrocarbons, Cu²⁺ and phenol are used in different concentration in the tested models. The data obtained showed a good level of correlation and response of all the sensors and electrode used in terms of both presence and concentration of the tested pollutants. The application of the fuzzy logic approach to analyzing water quality provides an indicator of overall water toxicity.