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Evaluating Cost when Selecting Performance Reference Compounds for the Environmental Deployment of Polyethylene Passive Samplers
Citation:
Perron, Monique M., Robert M. Burgess, Mark G Cantwell, AND Loretta A. Fernandez. Evaluating Cost when Selecting Performance Reference Compounds for the Environmental Deployment of Polyethylene Passive Samplers. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, KS, 11(2):256-265, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
This investigation (1) compared the performance of inexpensive PRCs (deuterated PAHs) and expensive PRCs (13C-labelled PCBs) to estimate dissolved PCB concentrations in freshwater and marine deployments, and (2) evaluated the use of smaller quantities of PRC relative to regular amounts used for estimating dissolved PAH and PCB concentrations. This research provides evidence that using inexpensive and smaller quantities of PRCs can yield cost savings of approximately 75% without sacrificing scientific accuracy, especially when considering total dissolved PCB concentrations.
Description:
A challenge in environmental passive sampling is determining when equilibrium is achieved between the sampler, target contaminants, and environmental phases. A common approach is the use of performance reference compounds (PRCs) to indicate degree of equilibrium. One logistical issue associated with using PRCs is their sometimes exorbitant cost. To address PRC expense, this investigation (1) compared the performance of inexpensive PRCs (deuterated PAHs) and expensive PRCs (13C-labelled PCBs) to estimate dissolved PCB concentrations in freshwater and marine deployments, and (2) evaluated the use of smaller quantities of PRC relative to regular amounts used for estimating dissolved PAH and PCB concentrations. Saltwater and freshwater site differences between total dissolved PCB concentrations calculated using the two classes of PRCs were less than 0.1 ng/L and approximately 0.4 ng/L, respectively. No statistical differences were detected between total dissolved PAH and PCB concentrations for the three quantities of PRCs evaluated (i.e., regular, large, and small). In both investigations, individual dissolved PCB congeners and PAH compounds demonstrated comparable behavior as total dissolved concentrations. This research provides evidence that using inexpensive and smaller quantities of PRCs can yield cost savings of approximately 75% without sacrificing scientific accuracy, especially when considering total dissolved PCB concentrations.
