Field Trial and Modeling of Uptake Rates of In Situ Lipid-Free Polyethylene Membrane Passive Sampler

Abstract

Lipid-free polyethylene membrane tubing (LFT) has been further developed in response to a growing need for an inexpensive and simple time-integrative sampling device for dissolved hydrophobic contaminants in water. The LFT sampler is based on the diffusion of dissolved hydrophobic target compounds through the aqueous boundary layer and into the polyethylene membrane, mimicking uptake by organisms. We demonstrate through laboratory and field validation studies that LFT provided the same benefits as many other passive sampling devices, withoutthe potential of analytical interference from lipid impurities. A total of 370 LFTs and semipermeable membrane devices were deployed for 21 days in paired studies at highly urbanized, undeveloped, and two Superfund sites, representing several river conditions. A simple internal surrogate spiking method served as an in situ calibration indicator of the effects of environmental conditions on the uptake rates. A modified extraction method for the LFT increased recoveries while decreasing solvent use and labor compared to other organic extraction procedures. LFT sampling rates were estimated using ratios, in situ calibration and modeling for over 45 target analytes, including PAHs, PCBs, and pesticides.

Improvements in pollutant monitoring: Optimizing silicone for co-deployment with polyethylene passive sampling devices

“…Initially, silicone extraction and pre-cleaning experiments used ethyl acetate since it does not severely impact the integrity of the silicone itself (Rusina et al, 2007), and ethyl acetate is a solvent with both polar and non-polar properties that might be conducive to OPAHs. In addition, to exploit inherent differences in each polymer, ethyl acetate was used as the primary solvent for silicone, while the more non-polar hexane was used for LDPE cleaning as previously described (Anderson et al, 2008). Pre-cleaning experiments for silicones were adapted from several studies (Booij et al, 2002; Rusina et al, 2007; Yates et al, 2007; Allan et al, 2009; Schafer et al, 2010).…”

“…Individual silicone strips were extracted with two sequential rounds of 100 mL of ethyl acetate on an orbital shaker set at 60 rpm (ambient temperature), and the total extraction time was 18 hours. LDPE was extracted with hexanes in a similar fashion (Anderson et al, 2008). All extracts were quantitatively concentrated to 1 mL using closed cell evaporators (TurboVaps ® , Biotage, Charlotte, NC), and transferred to chromatography vials.…”

“…In addition to compound selectivity, considerations for using PSDs derive from previous development of uptake kinetics and published laboratory methods (Vrana et al, 2005; Rusina et al, 2007). One of the most commonly used passive samplers is low-density polyethylene (LDPE) due to the low cost of the material, hydrophobic properties for targeting many persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and available partitioning and sampling rate estimates (Booij et al, 2002; Anderson et al, 2008; Choi et al, 2013). …”

Application of isotope dilution method for measuring bioavailability of organic contaminants sorbed to dissolved organic matter (DOM)

“…The higher adsorption capacity for HOCs of A-HA than natural humic substances has been attributed to its lower O/C ratio which makes A-HA a less hydrophilic material with lower carbohydrate and carboxyl contents (Chiou et al, 1987;McCarthy et al, 1989). The C free has been often related to bioavailability of HOCs in natural waters (Anderson et al, 2008;Hu et al, 2009;Cui et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2007). However, recent studies showed that the bioavailable fraction of HOCs in DOM-containing water may also encompass the reversible desorption portion of DOM-sorbed chemical (Chen et al, 2008).…”

Passive samplers accurately predict PAH levels in resident crayfish

“…Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a widely-used material for making passive samplers (Anderson et al, 2008). When LDPE is deployed in water, hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) diffuse into LDPE from the water into the hydrophobic polymer.…”