Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are constituents of petrochemical products or are produced from the incomplete combustion of organic materials. They can enter the environment in a range of ways, including as a result of natural oil seeps, oil spills, and from industrial effluents. Real-time detection would aid in effective mitigation and remediation efforts.

A biosensor developed by Michael Unger and co-workers, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, USA, could be used for the early detection and tracking of oil spills. It uses the monoclonal anti-PAH antibody, 7B2.3, to provide near real-time evaluation of environmental contamination: It can determine PAH concentrations as low as 0.3 µg/L, within 10 min of sample acquisition.

Its use as a field instrument was demonstrated by the team surveying an area of almost 9,000 m² around the Elizabeth River, Virginia, USA, providing information about the size and intensity of contaminants to engineers who were monitoring dredging from the shore (see picture).

• Near real-time, on-site, quantitative analysis of PAHs in the aqueous environment using an antibody-based biosensor
  C. R. Spier, G. G. Vadas, S. L. Kaattari, M. A. Unger,
  Environ. Tox. Chem. 2011.
  DOI: 10.1002/etc.546