Water Testing Breakthroughs from GEOKHI RAS Researchers
Specialists from the laboratory of instrumental methods and organic reagents at the Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Vernadsky (GEOKHI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have developed rapid tests for detecting salicylic, malonic, and ascorbic acids in water. These compounds are commonly used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and their presence in waste and natural waters can disturb ecological balance. The new methods have already undergone testing on water samples from the Moscow region and were reported by socialbites.ca citing the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
The testing approach is versatile, suitable for execution in a traditional laboratory as well as in field conditions. Analyzing 5 to 6 samples can be completed in under 30 minutes, with costs lower than many comparable techniques. The reduced expense primarily reflects the use of inexpensive reagents rather than expensive instrumentation.
Numerous test systems exist to identify a wide range of organic and bioorganic compounds in water, ranging from simple test strips to portable devices. Despite this variety, a method specifically tuned to accurately determine salicylic, malonic, and ascorbic acids has not been widely available until now, making the new approach noteworthy for researchers and industrial analysts alike.
The core concept relies on the adsorption of the target organic acids by a specially prepared sorbent. This sorption process gathers substances from the water sample onto a surface that can later be interrogated for concentration levels. The strategy leverages a controlled interaction between the acids and the sorbent material to produce a measurable signal corresponding to the amount of acid present.
According to Alexander Grechnikov, head of the Laboratory for Instrumental Methods and Organic Reagents, the analysis time hinges on the sorption step. In a laboratory setting, the solution can be directed through the sorbent with a pump, enabling a dynamic analysis flow. In field scenarios where pumping is impractical, the method uses a compact tablet or disc containing the sorbent. This disc is introduced into a test tube or beaker with the sample. Larger volumes extend the waiting period before sorption concludes, but they also enhance sensitivity. In practice, multiple samples may be analyzed concurrently, enabling efficient throughput.
Concentration levels of the acids are inferred from color changes on the sorbent surface. For example, the detection of salicylic acid is indicated by a color shift on the sorbent discs, progressing from pale lilac to violet as the acid content increases through stages such as 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 micrograms. Each acid studied benefits from its own selective color reaction, which forms distinct colored acid complexes with various metals. This colorimetric approach provides a visual and quantitative readout to determine the presence and amount of each target acid in a water sample.
These innovations open pathways for rapid screening of pharmaceutical-related contaminants in water, with practical implications for environmental monitoring in both urban and regional contexts. The project emphasizes accessibility, offering a method that reduces time and cost without sacrificing reliability. The work aligns with broader efforts to improve water quality assessment and to enable timely decision making for water managers, regulators, and the public health community.
Further development may expand the range of detectable compounds and improve the robustness of field-ready formats. Still, the current results demonstrate a feasible balance between simplicity, speed, and accuracy, providing a valuable tool for laboratories and field teams carrying out water quality surveillance. Attribution: Ministry of Education and Science and the Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry