Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in aquatics

A method of detecting and quantifying the level of analyte in an aquatic test sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• collecting an aquatic test sample containing one or more analytes;
• introducing the aquatic target sample to a portable interferometric system;
• initiating waveguide interferometry on the aquatic test sample;
• and
• processing any data resulting from the waveguide interferometry,
• wherein the interferometric system comprises:
• an optical assembly unit, the optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit;
• and
• a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing unit and removed after one or more uses, the cartridge system comprising:
• an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, the sensing layer adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the aquatic test sample;
• and
• a flow cell wafer;
• and
• a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer;
• and
• an alignment means for aligning the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion thereby providing optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.