Comparing the passive sampler and biomonitoring of organic pollutants in water: A laboratory study

Abstract

Passive sampling could provide the solution to problems associated with costly and time consuming sampling programmes and biomonitoring. Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Chemcatcher passive sampler were simultaneously analyzed for sequestered pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MSD). The Chemcatcher passive sampler based on a solid phase extraction disc with two types of diffusion-limiting membranes (polyethelene and polysulphone), were also compared. Diuron, atrazine, irgarol and lindane were accumulated in the polysulphone passive sampler in greater concentration than in the mussels or in the other passive samplers with polyethelene limiting-membrane. Mussels can accumulate in their tissue high concentration of non polar compounds such as PCB 52, dieldren and PCB 153; more than the passive sampler with polysulphone membrane. The device with polyethelene limiting membrane has high affinity capacity to concentrate high amount of phenenthrene, dieldrin, PCB 153 and PCB 52, so it acts as a sampler for non-polar compounds. The highest uptake rate of hydrophobic compounds by Chemcatcher was observed for analytes with log octanol-water partition coefficient (K O W ) between 4.5 and 7.5. Laboratorybased studies using passive samplers to assess the potential for bioaccumulation could provide robust and reliable information at relatively low cost compared to biomonitoring data. Laboratory data obtained using passive samplers could be related to accumulation under field conditions where field assessments are required.

Comparison of marine sampling methods for organic contaminants: Passive samplers, water extractions, and live oyster deployment

“…The study found that atrazine accumulates in the passive samplers in greater concentration than in the mussels while the mussels were found to preferentially accumulate dieldrin (El-Shenawy et al, 2009). The results from the El-Shenaway et al (El-Shenawy et al, 2009 studies are consistent with the Housatonic River field study. Predicted water concentrations for atrazine derived from EVA plate passive samplers were higher than those of dieldrin, while dieldrin was detected in the oysters but atrazine was not.…”

“…Spot sampling entails filtration and extraction of large volumes of water and can be very costly and time consuming (El-Shenawy et al, 2009). Spot sampling is limited to a point measure of pollutant concentrations, which can be problematic as these concentrations may vary greatly over time and even over the course of a day (Stuer-Lauridsen, 2005).…”

“…El-Shenaway et al (El-Shenawy et al, 2009 compared a water grab sample extraction (liquid/liquid), Chemcatcher passive sampler, and biosampling with mussels (Mytilus edulis) with a laboratory and field study. The study found that atrazine accumulates in the passive samplers in greater concentration than in the mussels while the mussels were found to preferentially accumulate dieldrin (El-Shenawy et al, 2009). The results from the El-Shenaway et al (El-Shenawy et al, 2009 studies are consistent with the Housatonic River field study.…”

Overview of the Chemcatcher® for the passive sampling of various pollutants in aquatic environments Part A: Principles, calibration, preparation and analysis of the sampler

“…Acetone was afterward allowed to evaporate which resulted in a disk loaded with 450 ml of n-octanol. For El-Shenawy et al [72,73], the drying step under vacuum was replaced by the use of a dry tissue in order to remove excess water while avoiding complete drying of the disk.…”

An overview of sample preparation and extraction of synthetic pyrethroids from water, sediment and soil

“…A relatively large number of samples must be collected from a given location over the entire duration of sampling when the method of active sampling is applied. However, such problems are minimized, to a large extentby the use of passive samplers [23,24].…”