A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor

Surface runoff poses a significant threat to crop production and the environment. However, most studies on soil properties have not quantified soil nutrient loss as a consequence of soil erosion. This study measures the magnitude of nutrient loss through the development of a novel electrochemical se...

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Main Authors: Vagheeswari Venkadesh, Vivek Kamat, Shekhar Bhansali, Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:AgriEngineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/3/83
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author Vagheeswari Venkadesh
Vivek Kamat
Shekhar Bhansali
Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
author_facet Vagheeswari Venkadesh
Vivek Kamat
Shekhar Bhansali
Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
author_sort Vagheeswari Venkadesh
collection DOAJ
description Surface runoff poses a significant threat to crop production and the environment. However, most studies on soil properties have not quantified soil nutrient loss as a consequence of soil erosion. This study measures the magnitude of nutrient loss through the development of a novel electrochemical sensor designed for direct and selective detection of nitrates and phosphates in soil runoff. The sensor fabrication process utilizes molecularly imprinted polymer techniques which involve the electrodeposition of polypyrrole with the analyte onto a carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis was performed to evaluate the sensor performance in quantifying nitrates and phosphates across three distinct sets of soil samples collected for analysis. The sensor response was linear to the nitrate concentration in the range of 0.01 M to 100 μM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9906). The phosphate MIP sensor also displayed a linear response for concentrations ranging from 10 µM to 200 µM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9901). The sensor exhibited high sensitivity towards nitrates and phosphates and effectively detected nutrient levels in the soil solution with a detection limit of 25 μM and 53 μM, respectively. The sensor was then evaluated for degradation and repeatability, which produced a relative standard deviation of 13.5% and 8.2% for nitrate and phosphate, respectively. Further, the loss of nutrients in different soil types indicated the need for soil characterization before the application of fertilizer to reduce the nutrient loss in the event of surface runoff.
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spelling doaj-art-a077ee14bef6427280c3035ad4e8c36a2025-08-20T02:41:43ZengMDPI AGAgriEngineering2624-74022025-03-01738310.3390/agriengineering7030083A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical SensorVagheeswari Venkadesh0Vivek Kamat1Shekhar Bhansali2Krishnaswamy Jayachandran3Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USASurface runoff poses a significant threat to crop production and the environment. However, most studies on soil properties have not quantified soil nutrient loss as a consequence of soil erosion. This study measures the magnitude of nutrient loss through the development of a novel electrochemical sensor designed for direct and selective detection of nitrates and phosphates in soil runoff. The sensor fabrication process utilizes molecularly imprinted polymer techniques which involve the electrodeposition of polypyrrole with the analyte onto a carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis was performed to evaluate the sensor performance in quantifying nitrates and phosphates across three distinct sets of soil samples collected for analysis. The sensor response was linear to the nitrate concentration in the range of 0.01 M to 100 μM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9906). The phosphate MIP sensor also displayed a linear response for concentrations ranging from 10 µM to 200 µM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9901). The sensor exhibited high sensitivity towards nitrates and phosphates and effectively detected nutrient levels in the soil solution with a detection limit of 25 μM and 53 μM, respectively. The sensor was then evaluated for degradation and repeatability, which produced a relative standard deviation of 13.5% and 8.2% for nitrate and phosphate, respectively. Further, the loss of nutrients in different soil types indicated the need for soil characterization before the application of fertilizer to reduce the nutrient loss in the event of surface runoff.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/3/83runoffnutrient losselectrochemical sensorMIPpolypyrrolenitrate
spellingShingle Vagheeswari Venkadesh
Vivek Kamat
Shekhar Bhansali
Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
AgriEngineering
runoff
nutrient loss
electrochemical sensor
MIP
polypyrrole
nitrate
title A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
title_full A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
title_fullStr A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
title_full_unstemmed A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
title_short A Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Loss in Surface Runoff Using a Novel Molecularly-Imprinted-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
title_sort quantitative analysis of nutrient loss in surface runoff using a novel molecularly imprinted polymer based electrochemical sensor
topic runoff
nutrient loss
electrochemical sensor
MIP
polypyrrole
nitrate
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/3/83
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