Claims
- 1. A tissue-based water quality sensor for detecting the presence of at least one chemical or biological warfare agent comprising: a cell adapted for analyzing photosynthetic activity of naturally occurring, free-living, indigenous photosynthetic organisms in water; means for introducing water into said cell and discharging water from said cell; a fluorometer having sufficient sensitivity for measuring photosynthetic activity of naturally occurring, free-living, indigenous photosynthetic organisms drawn into said cell; and transmitting means for transmitting analytical data relating to the presence of at least one chemical or biological warfare agent in said water.
- 2. A sensor in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a moving means for moving said water quality sensor through a body of water.
- 3. A sensor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said moving means further comprises a submarine.
- 4. A method of testing water to detect the presence of at least one chemical or biological warfare agent comprising the steps of:
a. exposing water to a measuring means for measuring photosynthetic activity of free-living indigenous photosynthetic organisms; b. measuring photosynthetic activity of free-living indigenous photosynthetic organisms occurring naturally in said water to detect the presence of at least one chemical or biological warfare agent in said water.
- 4. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said measuring means is mobile.
- 5. a method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said measuring means is static.
- 6. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said measuring step is carried out continuously.
- 7. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said measuring step is carried out intermittently.
- 8. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising the additional step of transmitting data generated in step b.
- 9. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising the additional step of receiving the transmitted data.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/226,646, filed on Aug. 21, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Government Interests
[0002] The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to contract no. DEAC05-00OR22725 between the United States Department of Energy and UT-Battelle, LLC.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60226646 |
Aug 2000 |
US |