Water quality test based on dielectrophoretic measurements of fresh water algae Selenastrum capricornutum

A method is described whereby dielectrophoresis of algal cells is used to perform rapid water quality analysis, specifically detecting the presence of CuSO₄. The dielectric collection spectrum of the fresh water alga Selenastrum capricornutum was determined for a range of concentrations of CuSO₄ from 25 mg L^-1 to 0.25 mg L^-1 for exposure times of 15 min and 18 h. In all cases increasing the concentration of CuSO₄ reduced cell collection, but a step reduction was observed in collection between 2 mg L^-1 and 5 mg L^-1. This method has potential for forming a rapid, low-cost test for water quality with broad specificity and significantly reduced analysis time compared to current methods.