Sensors for toxic metal ion detection in aquatic environment: current status and future perspectives

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Discover Applied Sciences

Abstract

Toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and chromium pose serious environmental and health risks through water contamination. While conventional laboratory-based techniques offer high accuracy, they are often costly, time-consuming, and not suitable for real-time monitoring. Recent advances in sensor technologies provide portable, rapid, and cost-effective alternatives. The present work highlights the progress in electrochemical sensors, semiconductor devices such as ISFETs and AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, and nanomaterials for real-time and on-site monitoring of toxic metal ions. However, challenges remain in achieving long-term stability, reproducibility, and selectivity in continuous water analysis. Future opportunities in integrating these sensors with microfluidics, IoT connectivity, and artificial intelligence for automated data analysis, predictive diagnostics, and field-deployable platforms. This review provides a critical overview of current technologies, challenges, and opportunities, outlining pathways toward next-generation sensing systems for effective water quality monitoring.

DOI

10.1007/s42452-025-07936-9

Publication Date

12-1-2025

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