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Performance of Passive Samplers for Monitoring Estuarine Water Column Concentrations: 2. Emerging Contaminants
Citation:
Perron, M., R. Burgess, E. Suuberg, M. Cantwell, AND K. Pennell. Performance of Passive Samplers for Monitoring Estuarine Water Column Concentrations: 2. Emerging Contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL, 32(10):2190-2196, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
In this study, the performance of three common passive samplers were evaluated for sampling dissolved concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and triclosan (TCS). Sampler polymers included polyethylene (PE), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers. Samplers were deployed at several sites in Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) and dissolved concentrations were calculated using measured sampler concentrations and laboratory derived partition coefficients. Calculated dissolved water concentrations yielded very low levels (pg/L) of PBDEs. Calculated dissolved water concentrations of TCS ranged from 1.7 to 18 ng/L for POM and 8.8 to 13 ng/L for PE using performance reference compound (PRC) equilibrium adjustments. Concentrations in SPME were not reported due to lack of detectable chemical in the PDMS polymer deployed. Both PE and POM were found to accumulate emerging contaminants from the water column, but further research is needed to determine their utility as sampling devices.
Description:
Measuring dissolved concentrations of emerging contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and triclosan (TCS), can be challenging due to their physicochemical properties resulting in low aqueous solubilities and association with particles. Passive sampling methods have been applied to assess dissolved concentrations in water and sediments primarily for legacy contaminants. Although the technology is applicable to some emerging contaminants, the data is limited. In the present study, the performance of three common passive samplers was evaluated for sampling PBDEs and TCS. Sampler polymers included polyethylene (PE), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers. Samplers were deployed in the water column at several sites in Narragansett Bay. Dissolved concentrations were calculated using measured sampler concentrations and laboratory derived partition coefficients. Calculated dissolved water concentrations yielded very low levels (pg/L) of PBDEs. Tri-, tetra-, and pentabrominated congeners (17, 47, 71, 99 and 100) were detected at several of the study sites while the hepta- and decabrominated congeners (183 and 209) were not detected at any of them. Calculated dissolved water concentrations of TCS ranged from 1.7 to 18 ng/L for POM and 8.8 to 13 ng/L for PE using performance reference compound (PRC) equilibrium adjustments. Due to its oxygen-containing structure, POM has a higher affinity for polar chemicals and may be a more sensitive sampler for TCS. Concentrations in SPME were not reported due to lack of detectable chemical in the PDMS polymer deployed. Both PE and POM were found to accumulate emerging contaminants from the water column, but further research is needed to determine their utility as sampling devices. The use of PRCs for equilibrium adjustment may not be applicable for all passive sampler polymers. Additionally, selection of passive sampler polymers for emerging contaminants (e.g., POM with TCS) can have an effect on measurement sensitivity.
