WATERSCAN: WATER Pollution Warning System Combining bioAssays on Passive Sampling Extracts and Real Time Mixture Toxicity detectioN

3.04.T-17 WATERSCAN: WATER Pollution Warning System Combining bioAssays on Passive Sampling Extracts and Real Time Mixture Toxicity detectioN Roberta Carafa1, Jordi Sierra2, Nora Exposito Lorenzo3, Teresa Lettieri4, montserrat real1, Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen5 and Marta Schuhmacher6, (1)AECOM, Spain, (2)Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain, (3)University Rovira i Virgili, Spain, (4)European. Commission - Joint Research Centre, Italy, (5)UFZ - Helmholz Ctre Environm. Research, Germany, (6)Rovira i Virgili University, Spain There is no doubt that human activity depends on water quality and availability. Despite the efforts made in the last decades for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, water pollution is still a main cause of water quality deterioration. The traditional monitoring, based on grab samples, is not economically affordable and interest is rising in effect-based methods. Bioassays and biosensors can determine biological responses caused by complex mixtures by measuring their combined effects. The aim of WATERSCAN project is: 1. To bring to the market an already patented biofilm-based sensor that provides detection of mixture toxicity in water, real time measures and good sensitivity. 2. To test a panel of standard bioassays exposed to environmental toxic mixtures. Calibration of the PAM sensor was performed with biofilm exposed (acute and chronic exposure) to a mixture of selected heavy metals, pesticide and pharmaceuticals based on most detected and impacting compounds in European WWTP: the bio-sensor was very sensitive as YII depression was measured at environmental concentrations; biofilm growth is affected only at very high exposure rates. The prototype, protected by a granted patent, has been tested in field, first results indicate that the device can work with minimal maintenance maintaining a high level of sensitivity and a constant water flow during several days. More field tests are needed to confirm its efficiency in detecting contamination events and to better calibrate the device.