Applying Biosensors to Monitor Environmental Pollution in Harbors and Marine Protected Areas

Industrialization, urban effluents, maritime traffic, and harbor development have perniciously affected marine environments, especially in harbors and marine protected areas (MPAs). These environments now face unprecedented water contaminants like pesticides, microplastics, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other dangerous pollutants, which can gravely damage marine biodiversity and the overall ecosystem health. Monitoring pollution is made easier with traditional methodologies. However, these lack real-time, specific, sensitive, and even tailored attributes needed for effective surveillance in an environmental context. Biosensors, analytical devices incorporating biological recognition elements and physicochemical transducers, make it possible to detect ecological pollutants rapidly, accurately, and on-site. This article describes technological advances and fieldwork employing biosensors for pollution monitoring in harbors and MPAs, focusing on particular technological innovations. The use of various types of biosensors, such as enzymatic, microbial, immunosensors, and DNA-based sensors, is evaluated for their purpose-driven capability to monitor delineated pollutants. Connecting biosensors with wireless data communication systems and analytical platforms allows for data-driven continual assessments and timely responses through automated detection of pollution and contamination events. Marine environments pose unique problems such as biofouling, sensor calibration, and surface fouling, which impact the sensor's operational longevity. Discussed solutions are intended to improve the sensors' reliability, operability, and durability, including anti-fouling coatings, miniaturization, and automated deployment systems. Biosensors have been applied for environmental evaluations in various coastal areas, which have aided in improving marine resource management and conservation activities. All in all, the technological development of biosensors is a novel phenomenon in the marine environment. Biosensors enable real-time evaluation of pollution in harbors and marine protected areas. Furthermore, using biosensors to detect pollutants helps avert considerable harm to the ecology.