Algal biosensors for aquatic ecosystems monitoring^*

¹ Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement (LSE), École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État, rue Maurice Audin, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin Cedex, France
² Centre des Processus Industriels et Naturels (SPIN), École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne,158 cours Fauriel, 42023 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France
³ Laboratoire d'Application de la Chimie à l'Environnement (LACE), Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, 69022 Villeurbanne Cedex, France

Corresponding author: Claude.durrieu@entpe.fr

Received: 8 April 2005
Revised: 1 February 2006
Accepted: 7 April 2006
Published online: 11 October 2006

Abstract

The harmful effect of toxic chemicals on natural ecosystems has led to an increasing demand for early-warning systems to detect those toxicants at very low concentrations levels. Whole-cell biosensors based either on chlorophyll fluorescence or enzyme (phosphatase and esterase) inhibition are constructed for real-time detection and on-line monitoring. Results show that these devices are sensitive to heavy metals and pesticides. The system allows the cells to operate in their natural environment which favours long term stability and reflects the toxic action mechanism providing therefore an ecological interest.