Miniaturized microfluidic heuristics for the detection of polluting molecules in the environment

Toxic substances (pesticides, heavy metals, and xenobiotics) in the environment pose a threat to all living organisms. Existing bioremediation approaches exploit the usage of microbes to convert, accumulate, and break down less hazardous compounds under optimized conditions. Despite continuous efforts in bulk bioremediation studies, analytical tools available for assessing or validating the presence of toxic substances in the environment have become cost and labor intensive. However, multifaceted miniature microfluidic technology seems to be a viable option for detecting pollutants in rapid succession. In this chapter, we highlight the developments made toward the implementation of miniaturized platforms for fast and frugal analysis of pollutants present in the environment.