Some recent developments in remote electrochemical sensors for in situ monitoring of priority organic and inorganic pollutants are considered. Such research addresses the challenges associated with a continuous submersible operation of electrochemical devices in unaltered environments and in ensuring that the field results are comparable to those of laboratory instruments. The new sensor technology offers fast and accurate return of the chemical data in a timely, safe and cost-effective manner. These and similar developments should lead to a more reliable assessment of pollutant gradient and fate in aquatic environments, and should have major impact upon the characterization of contaminated sites or hostile environments and on industrial process monitoring.