Engineering

Ecology

Biology

Microfluidics

Geotechnical engineering

Materials science

Chromatography

Computer science

Risk analysis (engineering)

Business

Environmental engineering

Nanotechnology

Environmental analysis

Hydrology (agriculture)

Environmental resource management

Environmental science

Chemistry

Environmental monitoring

Sensors and Actuators B Chemical

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have experienced rapid growth over the past decade due to their simple design, low cost, minimal sample requirement, and good sensitivity, selectivity and accuracy. While designed originally for point-of-care medical diagnostics, biological, and food safety applications, μPADs are now used increasingly for environmental monitoring purposes. This review provides a detailed overview of the μPADs developed over the past ten years for the environmental analysis of soil, air, ecology (pesticides) and river water. The review commences by introducing the fabrication techniques and detection methods used in μPAD technology. A detailed description of the main μPAD frameworks proposed in the past decade for environmental monitoring is then provided. The review concludes by examining the challenges facing μPADs for environmental monitoring and identifying probable avenues of future research.

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for environmental analysis of soil, air, ecology and river water