Microfluidic Devices: Harnessing the Power of Tiny Devices in Analysing Wastewater Quality

Abstract

The reduction in aquatic biodiversity and the growing water shortage are caused by habitat degradation and water pollution. Over the previous few decades, freshwater availability has decreased. Monitoring contaminants in wastewater effluents is essential to identifying areas of water contamination that require treatment. Multiple hazardous components in wastewater can be difficult to trace using conventional detection methods since they vary over time and come from different sources. There is increasing interest in making microfluidic apparatuses because of their phenomenal responsiveness, ease, dynamic response, negligible cost, constancy, and selectivity. Depicted by their ability to control small volumes of fluids through microchannels, they are emerging as moderate devices in normal checking, particularly in analysing wastewater quality. These miniature apparatuses furnish significant opportunities over the conventional approach, including reduced sample volume, faster processing times, high sensitivity, and the potential for on-site real-time analysis. Additionally, these systems can combine several analytical tasks into a single, small instrument, including sample preparation, segregation, identification, and quantification. Microfluidic devices can accurately measure contaminants like heavy metals, organic pollutants, pathogens, and nutrient levels. This chapter explores the applications of microfluidic technology in wastewater analysis, emphasizing its impact on improving water quality management and environmental protection.