A team of researchers from the Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for the Environment and Materials (IPREM) has successfully completed a four-year project aimed at developing a highly sensitive sensor to detect pesticide residues—most notably glyphosate—in water sources.
The exploratory project, dubbed “CAPTAIN Ad Hoc” (short for CAPTOR for the IN situ Analysis of Ad Hoc Emerging Pollutants), was led by research engineer Corinne Parat and brought together a dedicated team, including research engineer Estelle Ricard, PhD students Mohamed Amine Berkal and Quentin Palas, and design engineer Jordan Lacoste.
Their collaborative efforts have led to the development of a functional electrochemical sensor capable of detecting glyphosate in situ—directly in water environments—without the need for laboratory analysis. The prototype uses a screen-printed carbon electrode enhanced with gold nanoparticles, a key innovation that significantly improves sensitivity.
Although still in the prototype stage and not yet ready for routine use by local authorities, the sensor has passed initial validation tests. According to the researchers, further refinements are needed before field deployment, but the results mark a major step forward in real-time environmental monitoring.
Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is frequently detected in surface and groundwater, raising concerns over its potential health and ecological effects. Technologies such as the one developed under CAPTAIN Ad Hoc could offer local governments a vital tool for continuous, real-time water quality surveillance.
The project was part of a broader push to address the growing presence of emerging pollutants in the environment using innovative and cost-effective technologies.
