AirQuality Lab-on-a-Drone: A Low-Cost 3D-Printed Analytical IoT Platform for Vertical Monitoring of Gaseous H2S

The measurement of gaseous compounds in the atmosphere is a multichallenging task due to their low concentration range, long and latitudinal concentration variations, and the presence of sample interferents. Herein, we present a quadcopter drone deployed with a fully integrated 3D-printed analytical laboratory for H2S monitoring. Also, the analytical system makes part of the Internet of Things approach. The analytical method applied was based on the reaction between fluorescein mercuric acetate and H2S that led to fluorescence quenching. A 5 V micropump at a constant airflow of 50 mL min(-1) was employed to deliver constant air into a flask containing 800 mu L of the reagent. The analytical signal was obtained using a light-emitting diode and a miniaturized digital light detector. The method enabled the detection of H2S in the range from 15 to 200 ppbv, with a reproducibility of 5% for a sampling time of 10 min and an limit of detection of 9 ppbv. All devices were controlled using an Arduino powered by a small power bank, and the results were transmitted to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The proposed device resulted in a weight of 300 g and an overall cost of similar to 50 USD. The platform was used to monitor the concentration of H2S in different intervals next to a wastewater treatment plant at ground and vertical levels. The ability to perform all analytical steps in the same device, the low-energy requirements, the low weight, and the attachment of data transmission modules offer new possibilities for drone-based analytical systems for air pollution monitoring.

Automated summary

This study presents a quadcopter drone equipped with a fully integrated 3D-printed analytical laboratory for monitoring H2S concentration in the atmosphere. The analytical method used was based on the fluorescence quenching reaction between fluorescein mercuric acetate and H2S. The proposed device allows detection of H2S in the range of 15-200 ppbv.