Review—Electrochemical Sensor Biofouling in Environmental Sensor Networks: Characterisation, Remediation and Lessons from Biomedical Devices

In this short review we focus on sensor networks for real-time, online monitoring of drinking water distribution systems. It offers better strategy to monitor drinking water in light of Water Day Zero, but the development has been retarded by endemic biofilm biofouling of indwelling sensors. There is therefore an unmet need for self-rectifying sensor network systems which are able to identify and track the progression of biofouling of its constituent sensors, qualify the data and then, ideally, rectify the problem through in situ remediation protocols. To the best of our knowledge, no such system exists today, mainly because biofouling is rarely considered from a global multidisciplinary perspective involving the sensor performance and function, and biological understanding. Such approaches need to be involved throughout the design process. There are broad similarities in biofouling mechanisms and consequences between environmental and biomedical cases of biofouling. We propose that the application of lessons learned from biomedical to environmental applications is a reasonable approach. This review presents strategies to overcome these challenges that we categorise into: characterisation of biofouling effects, in situ remediation and its efficacy verification and mitigation by informed design. The review is mainly focussed on general electroanalytical techniques.