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Friday, 27th April 2007 (4946 views)

Gold nanoparticles are being used to develop a test for mercury so that on-the-spot environmental monitoring of water will be possible.

Scientists at North-western University in the US are using chemistry, DNA and gold nanoparticles in order to construct the testing system which will be used at rivers, streams, lakes and oceans to evaluate their safety as food and drinking sources.

Professor Chad Mirkin, leading the research, said: "It is critical to detect mercury quickly, accurately and at its source.

"Most existing detection methods require expensive complicated equipment forcing tests to take place in a lab. Our method is simpler, faster and more convenient than conventional methods, and results can be read with the naked eye at the point of use."

Mercury is very dangerous for pregnant women and children. It contaminates water via industrial pollution and can infect fish and shellfish inhabiting water supplies.

Gold is particularly used in the research due to its colour which helps the scientists to see and detect mercury.

 

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