Exploiting the Electrical Nature of Biofilms for Long-Term Monitoring of Quiescent Aquatic Environments via Open-Circuit Microbial Potentiometric Sensors: Evidence of Long-Distance Electrical Signaling
Journal
Nano LIFE
Date Issued
2023
Author(s)
Burge, Scott R.; Hristovski, Kiril D.; Burge, Russell G.; Pejov, Ljupco; Boscovic, Dragan; Taylor, Evan; Hoffman, David A.
DOI
10.1142/S1793984423500149
Abstract
This study was based on the hypothesis that spatial–temporal characterization of contaminant-
affected redox gradients in a quiescent system could be measured by microbial potentiometric
sensor (MPS) arrays incorporated in large, natural biofilm networks. Two experimental
chambers, each containing at least 48 equidistantly located MPS electrodes, were fabricated to
examine reproducibility of the patterns. The MPS electrodes were exposed to biofilm growth
conditions by introducing high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dechlorinated tap water at
the bottom of the experimental chamber; and the spatial–temporal changes in the MPS array
signals were recorded, which showed that signal trends were correlated to the induced changes
in DOC. The results indicated that MPS arrays measured the spatial–temporal changes in
the aqueous solution caused by an influx of carbon rich water, which could not be detected by
conventional oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) electrodes. Interestingly, the experiments
conducted over long time periods revealed unusual behaviors like electrical signaling and possible
potentiometrically driven communication within the biofilm. These observed behaviors
suggest that biofilms may create a large network through which communication signals can be
generated and propagated by inducing changes in electric potentials similar to a sophisticated
electronic device.
affected redox gradients in a quiescent system could be measured by microbial potentiometric
sensor (MPS) arrays incorporated in large, natural biofilm networks. Two experimental
chambers, each containing at least 48 equidistantly located MPS electrodes, were fabricated to
examine reproducibility of the patterns. The MPS electrodes were exposed to biofilm growth
conditions by introducing high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dechlorinated tap water at
the bottom of the experimental chamber; and the spatial–temporal changes in the MPS array
signals were recorded, which showed that signal trends were correlated to the induced changes
in DOC. The results indicated that MPS arrays measured the spatial–temporal changes in
the aqueous solution caused by an influx of carbon rich water, which could not be detected by
conventional oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) electrodes. Interestingly, the experiments
conducted over long time periods revealed unusual behaviors like electrical signaling and possible
potentiometrically driven communication within the biofilm. These observed behaviors
suggest that biofilms may create a large network through which communication signals can be
generated and propagated by inducing changes in electric potentials similar to a sophisticated
electronic device.
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