Sensors 2012, 12(10), 13349-13392; https://doi.org/10.3390/s121013349
Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems
1
Canadian Space Agency, Space Science and Technology, 6767 route de l’aéroport, Longueuil, QC J3Y 8Y9, Canada
2
Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
3
COM DEV Ltd., 303 Terry Fox Dr., Suite 100, Ottawa, ON K2K 3J1, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 31 July 2012 / Revised: 3 September 2012 / Accepted: 10 September 2012 / Published: 1 October 2012
(This article belongs to the Section Chemical Sensors)
Abstract
The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry’s demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided. View Full-TextKeywords:
ion-selective sensors; water quality; inorganic ion monitoring; space exploration; bioregenerative life support; hydroponics
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
Bamsey, M.; Graham, T.; Thompson, C.; Berinstain, A.; Scott, A.; Dixon, M. Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems. Sensors 2012, 12, 13349-13392.