Calibration and field application of an innovative passive sampler for monitoring groundwater quality

Abstract

This study describes the development of a novel Empore™ disk-based passive sampler specially adapted to groundwater monitoring. The sampler was calibrated in the laboratory using conditions that corresponded to groundwater (i.e. matrix medium, water temperature, flow rate and water flow across the disks). The retention and elution performance for sixteen semi-polar and polar pollutants on the Empore™ disk (47 mm diameter, SDB-XC) was evaluated. Recoveries were ~ 80% for the majority of compounds. Sampler uptake kinetics were measured over fourteen days at three concentrations (10, 100 and 500 ng L-1) and the sampling rate (RS) calculated for four compounds. There was no influence of concentration of the test analyte on the uptake profile; with mean RS varying between 0.018 ± 0.007 L day-1 and 0.047 ± 0.001 L day-1. Passive samplers were deployed in twelve characterized groundwater wells near Lyon (France). Atrazine, atrazine-desethyl and diuron were the main pollutants found with a maximum time-weighted concentration of 61, 62and 127 ng L-1 respectively.

Emerging polar pollutants in groundwater: Potential impact of urban stormwater infiltration practices

“…Each rig held 9 individual EDs (only 4 individual EDs for the campaign 2017) to obtain replicated analyses per rig (each ED being analyzed independently). Details of EDs preparation before deployment in the field as well as passive sampler adsorption kinetics are given in Pinasseau et al (2020). A total of 12 ED rigs were used (one rig per plastic tank and well) and deployed per campaign.…”

“…Compounds selected for the study were chosen according to their ecotoxicological relevance and their presence in urban stormwater (biocides from building materials) and GW according to literature (key compounds including key pharmaceuticals and pesticides TPs) (Gasperi et al, 2014(Gasperi et al, , 2012Jurado et al, 2012;Lapworth et al, 2012;Launay et al, 2016;Loos et al, 2010;Paijens et al, 2020;Postigo and Barceló, 2015;Stuart et al, 2012). Most of them were also frequently detected at our study sites and are presumably indicators of the SIS catchments pollution (Marmonier et al, 2013;Pinasseau et al, 2019Pinasseau et al, , 2020. Their physicochemical properties (polar and semi-polar with probability of reaching GW) was also a selection criterion.…”

“…After passive sampler deployment and collection, contaminant extraction from EDs were performed according to Pinasseau et al (2020). Briefly, EDs were extracted using 10 mL of acetone/methanol (50/50; v/v).…”

“…Passive sampling also gave a more accurate assessment of groundwater contamination than conventional spot sampling (Brack et al, 2017, Jones et al, 2015, Miège et al, 2015, Mills et al, 2014. Therefore, passive samplers such as Empore™ disk-based samplers appear as promising tools for the determination of contaminants in the environment as they are easy to use for a wide range of applications (Page et al, 2014, Petrie et al, 2016Pinasseau et al, 2020;Shaw and Mueller, 2009;Vermeirssen et al, 2013;Vrana et al, 2005). These disks can accumulate analytes on a receiving phase over several days or weeks and the analyte pre-concentration allows for an overall increase of the analytical sensitivity of the procedure.…”

“…In this context, the present study aimed to assess the effects of urban stormwater runoff infiltration on GW contamination by polar and semi-polar pesticides and pharmaceuticals using Empore™ disk-based sampler. A list of 16 targeted contaminants was selected according to several criteria: their environmental and ecotoxicological interest, their frequent detection at our study sites based on previous studies (Marmonier et al, 2013;Pinasseau et al, 2019Pinasseau et al, , 2020 and their physico-chemical properties. Less-studied hazardous compounds such as bromacil, fluopyram, imidacloprid and lamotrigine were also investigated to supplement these works.…”