Suspended sediment loads mobilized during high flow periods in rivers and streams are largely uncharacterized. In smaller and intermittent streams, a large storm may transport a majority of the annual sediment budget. Therefore monitoring techniques that can measure high suspended sediment concentrations at semi-continuous time intervals are needed. A Fiber optic In-stream Transmissometer (FIT) is presented for continuous measurement of high concentration suspended sediment in storm runoff. FIT performance and precision were demonstrated to be reasonably good for suspended sediment concentrations up to 10g/L. The FIT was compared to two commercially available turbidity devices and provided better precision and accuracy at both high and low concentrations. Both turbidity devices were unable to collect measurements at concentrations greater than 4 g/L. The FIT and turbidity measurements were sensitive to sediment particle size. Particle size dependence of transmittance and turbidity measurement poses the greatest problem for calibration to suspended sediment concentration. While the FIT was demonstrated to provide acceptable measurements of high suspended sediment concentrations, approaches to real-time suspended sediment detection need to address the particle size dependence in concentration measurements.

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are recognized contaminants threatening water quality. Despite efforts in source identification, few strategies exist for characterization or treatment of this environmental pollution. Given that there are numerous EDCs that can negatively affect humans and wildlife, general screening techniques like bioassays and biosensors provide an essential rapid and intensive analysis capacity. Commonly applied bioassays include the ELISA and YES assays, but promising technologies include ER-CALUXa, ELRA, Endotecta, RIANA, and IR-bioamplification. Two biosensors, Endotecta and RIANA, are field portable using non-cellular biological detection strategies. Environmental management of EDCs in water requires integration of biosensors and bioassays for monitoring and assessment.