Passive Sampling of Bioavailable Organic Chemicals in Perry County, Missouri Cave Streams

Abstract

Two types of passive samplers--semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS)--were deployed in spring 2008 to assess bioavailable concentrations of aquatic contaminants in five cave streams and resurgences in Perry County, Missouri. Study sites represent areas of high cave biodiversity and the only known habitat for grotto sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Time-weighted average (TWA) water concentrations were calculated for 20 compounds (n = 9 SPMDs; n = 11 POCIS) originating primarily from agricultural sources, including two organochlorine insecticides, dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide, which were found at levels exceeding U.S. EPA criteria for the protection of aquatic life. GIS data were used to quantify and map sinkhole distribution and density within the study area. Infiltration of storm runoff and its influence on contaminant transport were also evaluated using land cover and hydrological data. This work provides evidence of cave stream contamination by a mix of organic chemicals and demonstrates the applicability of passive samplers for monitoring water quality in dynamic karst environments where rapid transmission of storm runoff makes instantaneous water sampling difficult.

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

“…Oysters were deployed in the estuary for as long as the passive samplers. This would allow for a long term averaging in the estuary, comparable to the samplers and other studies (Cernoch et al, 2011;Dalton et al, 2014;El-Shenawy et al, 2010;Fox et al, 2010;Mi ege et al, 2012;Thromatou et al, 2011) without the constraints of small volume laboratory incubations on oyster health. Upon recovery, the passive samplers were immediately placed into jars containing 250 mL of methanol, while oysters were placed in zip lock bags and placed on ice for transportation to the laboratory.…”

“…Dieldrin, an organochlorine pesticide, was the second most commonly used agricultural insecticide in the United States in the 1960s (after DDT) (Yang et al, 2012). Dieldrin has a propensity to bioaccumulate, particularly in animal fats, and human exposure through food consumption is of concern (Fox et al, 2010). Scientists estimate that dieldrin will persist in the environment until at least 2030, decades after its US phase out in 1987 (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1980) and almost a century after its introduction in 1943 (Jorgenson, 2001).…”

“…Passive samplers still lack a clear comparison to traditional methods therefore more intercomparisons need to be established. The two most widely tested and used passive samplers are the Chemcatcher and Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS); both systems use a time-weighted average (Fox et al, 2010). A thin-filmed equilibrium sampler is currently not commercially available.…”

Cottus specus, a new troglomorphic species of sculpin (Cottidae) from southeastern Missouri.

“…Over the past fifteen years, two of the cave locations (Running Bull Cave and Mystery Cave) have experienced mass mortalities of unknown origin. Although both populations appear to have recovered from the perturbations, recent research provides evidence of pervasive and widespread contamination of C. specus habitat by a mixture of bioaccumulative organic contaminants (Fox et al 2010). The presence of karst terrain throughout the range of C. specus exacerbates the concern.…”

“…Cottus specus is known only from 5 caves and one stream in a single county in Missouri. Its tiny range and known threats (chemical pollution of groundwater) make it one of the rarest and most imperiled sculpins in North America (Fox et al 2010). On the basis of small geographic range, low population densities, and a multitude of threats to groundwater habitats, C. specus warrants formal protection at both state and federal levels.…”