This project aims to develop voltammetric sensors for a range of important trace elements that can be deployed in situ in aquatic freshwater and marine systems. For a number of elements the technology is sufficiently mature to have become commercially available. Recent work has demonstrated ultra-low concentration measurements of mercury in situ in marine waters, the distinction and quantification of arsenic and arsenate species in freshwater, and the development of voltammetric principles for the detection of cobalt and nickel ions. This research is a continuation of the previous activities of Jacques Buffle, the academic predecessor or Eric Bakker at the University of Geneva, and driven by the expertise of Marylou Tercier-Waeber, senior scientist of the group.

Publications:

(1) Layglon, N.; Abdou, M.; Massa, F.; Castellano, M.; Bakker, E.; Povero, P.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L. Speciation of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in a contaminated harbor and comparison to environmental quality standards. J Environ Manage 2022, 317. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115375.

(2) Abdou, M.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Dutruch, L.; Bossy, C.; Pougnet, F.; Coynel, A.; Bakker, E.; Blanc, G.; Schafer, J. Estuarine dissolved speciation and partitioning of trace metals: a novel approach to study biogeochemical processes. Environ Res 2022, 208. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112596.

(3) Abdou, M.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L. New insights into trace metal speciation and interaction with phytoplankton in estuarine coastal waters. Mar Pollut Bull 2022, 181. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113845.

(4) Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Fighera, M.; Abdou, M.; Bakker, E.; van der Wal, P. Newly designed gel-integrated nanostructured gold-based interconnected microelectrode arrays for continuous in situ arsenite monitoring in aquatic systems. Sensor Actuat B-Chem 2021, 328. DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2020.128996.

(5) Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Confalonieri, F.; Abdou, M.; Dutruch, L.; Bossy, C.; Fighera, M.; Bakker, E.; Graziottin, F.; van der Wal, P.; Schafer, J. Advanced multichannel submersible probe for autonomous high-resolution in situ monitoring of the cycling of the potentially bioavailable fraction of a range of trace metals. Chemosphere 2021, 282. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131014.

(6) Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Abdou, M.; Fighera, M.; Kowal, J.; Bakker, E.; van der Wal, P. In Situ Voltammetric Sensor of Potentially Bioavailable Inorganic Mercury in Marine Aquatic Systems Based on Gel-Integrated Nanostructured Gold-Based Microelectrode Arrays. Acs Sensors 2021, 6 (3), 925-937. DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c02111.

(7) Ducret, V.; Abdou, M.; Milho, C. G.; Leoni, S.; Martin--Pelaud, O.; Sandoz, A.; Campos, I. S.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Valentini, M.; Perron, K. Global Analysis of the Zinc Homeostasis Network in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Its Gene Expression Dynamics. Front Microbiol 2021, 12. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.739988.

(8) Penezic, A.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Abdou, M.; Bossy, C.; Dutruch, L.; Bakker, E.; Schafer, J. Spatial variability of arsenic speciation in the Gironde Estuary: Emphasis on dynamic (potentially bioavailable) inorganic arsenite and arsenate fractions. Mar Chem 2020, 223. DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2020.103804.

(9) Abdou, M.; Schafer, J.; Gil-Diaz, T.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Catrouillet, C.; Massa, F.; Castellano, M.; Magi, E.; Povero, P.; Blanc, G. Spatial variability and sources of platinum in a contaminated harbor - tracing coastal urban inputs. Environ Chem 2020, 17 (2), 105-117. DOI: 10.1071/En19160.

(10) Abdou, M.; Gil-Diaz, T.; Schafer, J.; Catrouillet, C.; Bossy, C.; Dutruch, L.; Blanc, G.; Cobelo-Garcia, A.; Massa, F.; Castellano, M.; et al. Short-term variations of platinum concentrations in contrasting coastal environments: The role of primary producers. Mar Chem 2020, 222. DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2020.103782.

(11) Illuminati, S.; Annibaldi, A.; Truzzi, C.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Noel, S.; Braungardt, C. B.; Achterberg, E. P.; Howell, K. A.; Turner, D.; Marini, M.; et al. In-situ trace metal (Cd, Pb, Cu) speciation along the Po River plume (Northern Adriatic Sea) using submersible systems. Mar Chem 2019, 212, 47-63. DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2019.04.001.

(12) Cuartero, M.; Crespo, G.; Cherubini, T.; Pankratova, N.; Confalonieri, F.; Massa, F.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Abdou, M.; Schafer, J.; Bakker, E. In Situ Detection of Macronutrients and Chloride in Seawater by Submersible Electrochemical Sensors. Anal Chem 2018, 90 (7), 4702-4710. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05299.

(13) Crespi, M. C.; Crespo, G. A.; Xie, X. J.; Touilloux, R.; Tercier-Waeber, M.; Bakker, E. Agarose hydrogel containing immobilized pH buffer microemulsion without increasing permselectivity. Talanta 2018, 177, 191-196. DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.08.053.

(14) Afshar, M. G.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Wehrli, B.; Bakker, E. Direct sensing of total alkalinity profile in a stratified lake. Geochem Perspect Let 2017, 3 (1), 85-93. DOI: 10.7185/geochemlet.1709.

(15) Touilloux, R.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Bakker, E. Antifouling membrane integrated renewable gold microelectrode for in situ detection of As(III). Anal Methods-Uk 2015, 7 (18), 7503-7510. DOI: 10.1039/c5ay01941a.

(16) Touilloux, R.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Bakker, E. Direct arsenic(III) sensing by a renewable gold plated Ir-based microelectrode. Analyst 2015, 140 (10), 3526-3534. DOI: 10.1039/c5an00151j.

(17) Pankratova, N.; Crespo, G. A.; Afshar, M. G.; Crespi, M. C.; Jeanneret, S.; Cherubini, T.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Pomati, F.; Bakker, E. Potentiometric sensing array for monitoring aquatic systems. Environ Sci-Proc Imp 2015, 17 (5), 906-914. DOI: 10.1039/c5em00038f.

(18) Sauvain, L.; Bueche, M.; Junier, T.; Masson, M.; Wunderlin, T.; Kohler-Milleret, R.; Diez, E. G.; Loizeau, J. L.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Junier, P. Bacterial communities in trace metal contaminated lake sediments are dominated by endospore-forming bacteria. Aquat Sci 2014, 76, S33-S46. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-013-0313-8.

(19) Masson, M.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L. Trace metal speciation at the sediment-water interface of Vidy Bay: influence of contrasting sediment characteristics. Aquat Sci 2014, 76, S47-S58. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-013-0323-6.

(20) Bakker, E.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Cherubini, T.; Crespi, M. C.; Crespo, G. A.; Cuartero, M.; Afshar, M. G.; Jarolimova, Z.; Jeanneret, S.; Mongin, S.; et al. Environmental Sensing of Aquatic Systems at the University of Geneva. Chimia 2014, 68 (11), 772-777. DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2014.772.

(21) Xie, X. J.; Pawlak, M.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Bakker, E. Direct Optical Carbon Dioxide Sensing Based on a Polymeric Film Doped with a Selective Molecular Tweezer-Type Ionophore. Anal Chem 2012, 84 (7), 3163-3169. DOI: 10.1021/ac2030046.

(22) Schuwer, N.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Danial, M.; Klok, H. A. Voltammetric Detection of Hg2+ Using Peptide-Functionalized Polymer Brushes. Aust J Chem 2012, 65 (8), 1104-1109. DOI: 10.1071/Ch12177.

(23) Simon, D. F.; Davis, T. A.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; England, R.; Wilkinson, K. J. In situ evaluation of cadmium biomarkers in green algae. Environ Pollut 2011, 159 (10), 2630-2636. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.05.028.

(24) Masson, M.; Lanceleur, L.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Schafer, J.; Hezard, T.; Larrose, A.; Bossy, C.; Blanc, G. Distribution and reactivity of oxyanions (Sb, As, V, Mo) in the surface freshwater reaches of the Gironde Estuary (France). Appl Geochem 2011, 26 (7), 1222-1230. DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.04.011.

(25) Dessureault-Rompre, J.; Luster, J.; Schulin, R.; Tercier-Waeber, M. L.; Nowack, B. Decrease of labile Zn and Cd in the rhizosphere of hyperaccumulating Thlaspi caerulescens with time. Environ Pollut 2010, 158 (5), 1955-1962. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.10.032.

(26) Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J.; Graziottin, F. Novel voltammetric in-situ profiling system for continuous real-time monitoring of trace elements in natural waters. Electroanal 1998, 10 (6), 355-363. DOI: Doi 10.1002/(Sici)1521-4109(199805)10:6<355::Aid-Elan355>3.3.Co;2-6.

(27) Belmont-Hebert, C.; Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J.; Fiaccabrino, G. C.; de Rooij, N. F.; Koudelka-Hep, M. Gel-integrated microelectrode arrays for direct voltammetric measurements of heavy metals in natural waters and other complex media. Anal Chem 1998, 70 (14), 2949-2956. DOI: DOI 10.1021/ac971194c.

(28) Buffle, J.; Wilkinson, K. J.; Tercier, M. L.; Parthasarathy, N. In situ monitoring and speciation of trace metals in natural waters. Ann Chim-Rome 1997, 87 (1-2), 67-82.

(29) Buffle, J.; Tercier, M. L.; Parthasarathy, N.; Wilkinson, K. J. Analytical techniques for the in situ measurement and speciation of trace compounds in natural waters. Chimia 1997, 51 (10), 690-693.

(30) Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J. Antifouling membrane-covered voltammetric microsensor for in situ measurements in natural waters. Anal Chem 1996, 68 (20), 3670-3678. DOI: DOI 10.1021/ac960265p.

(31) Belmont, C.; Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J.; Fiaccabrino, G. C.; KoudelkaHep, M. Mercury-plated iridium-based microelectrode arrays for trace metals detection by voltammetry: Optimum conditions and reliability. Anal Chim Acta 1996, 329 (3), 203-214. DOI: Doi 10.1016/0003-2670(96)00116-X.

(32) Town, R. M.; Tercier, M. L.; Parthasarathy, N.; Bujard, F.; Rodak, S.; Bernard, C.; Buffle, J. A Versatile Macro-Size to Micro-Size Stationary Mercury Drop Electrode. Anal Chim Acta 1995, 302 (1), 1-8. DOI: Doi 10.1016/0003-2670(94)00442-O.

(33) Tercier, M. L.; Parthasarathy, N.; Buffle, J. Reproducible, Reliable and Rugged Hg-Plated Ir-Based Microelectrode for in-Situ Measurements in Natural-Waters. Electroanal 1995, 7 (1), 55-63. DOI: DOI 10.1002/elan.1140070106.

(34) Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J. Insitu Voltammetric Measurements in Natural-Waters - Future-Prospects and Challenges. Electroanal 1993, 5 (3), 187-200. DOI: DOI 10.1002/elan.1140050303.

(35) Jermann, R.; Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J. Pressure Insensitive Solid-State Reference Electrode for Insitu Voltammetric Measurements in Lake Water. Anal Chim Acta 1992, 269 (1), 49-58. DOI: Doi 10.1016/0003-2670(92)85132-P.

(36) Devitre, R. R.; Tercier, M. L.; Tsacopoulos, M.; Buffle, J. Preparation and Properties of a Mercury-Plated Iridium-Based Microelectrode. Anal Chim Acta 1991, 249 (2), 419-425. DOI: Doi 10.1016/S0003-2670(00)83015-9.

(37) Tercier, M. L.; Buffle, J.; Zirino, A.; Devitre, R. R. Insitu Voltammetric Measurement of Trace-Elements in Lakes and Oceans. Anal Chim Acta 1990, 237 (2), 429-437. DOI: Doi 10.1016/S0003-2670(00)83947-1.

© Eric Bakker