An Enzymatic Bioassay for Perchlorate
Abstract
We developed a simple robust perchlorate-specific colorimetric bioassay under SERDP Project 1530 "An Enzymatic Bioassay for Perchlorate". Ammonium perchlorate represents 90% of all perchlorate salts manufactured and is used as an energetics booster or oxidant in solid rocket fuels. Its presence in the environment from legal historical discharge poses a significant health threat. Current analytical technologies for the identification and quantification of perchlorate at low levels are based on ion chromatography with conductivity or mass spectrometry detection. Although sensitive, these methods are inefficient being slow and arduous, exceptionally expensive, and require significant sample preparation by highly trained personnel in specialized laboratories. As such, their application for the rapid delineation of contamination zones in an environment is neither time nor cost effective. The technology outlined here offers a rapid, sensitive, specific, and cost effective solution that can be performed onsite with minimal training utilizing robust ubiquitous laboratory equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA539494
Entities
People
- John D. Coates
- Laurie A. Achenbach
- Mark Heinnickel
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley