Passive Sampling Technologies for the Monitoring of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Seawater

Abstract

Until now, water quality monitoring has relied on spot sampling followed by instrumental analytical measurements to determine pollutant concentrations. Despite a number of advantages, this procedure has considerable limitations in terms of temporal and spatial resolution. The passive sampling techniques, which basically consist of concentrating substances on a submerged device for a given period and analysing accumulated substances, should improve the monitoring practices by simplifying analytical issues (lower detection limits, analysis in a simpler matrix) and allowing time integration of the contamination. The performance and potential applications of passive sampling for water quality monitoring in coastal and marine environments are described.

Mortality of marine mussels Mytilus edulis and M. galloprovincialis: systematic literature review of risk factors and recommendations for future research

“…However, progress in in situ sensor technologies is still needed to enable cost‐effective and continuous monitoring of contaminants in seawater (Justino et al, 2015). In particular, passive sampling technologies (Schintu et al, 2014) that capture a wide range of environmental pollutants should enable us to assess the effects of multiple exposures (i.e. a cocktail effect) and of chronic exposure to contaminants on the mortality risk of mussels.…”

Trace Metals

“…The main passive samplers used for monitoring trace metals in marine waters are the diffusive gradient in thin film (DGT) device and the Chemcatcher (Fig. 3.9; Schintu et al 2014). DGTs were developed by Zhang and Davison (1995) and consist of a small pistonlike plastic device containing a Chelex 100 layer as a receiving phase overlaid with a well-defined diffusion layer of polyacrylamide hydrogel protected by a filter membrane (Fig.…”

“…DGTs were developed by Zhang and Davison (1995) and consist of a small pistonlike plastic device containing a Chelex 100 layer as a receiving phase overlaid with a well-defined diffusion layer of polyacrylamide hydrogel protected by a filter membrane (Fig. 3.9) (Allan et al 2008;Schintu et al 2014). The Chemcatcher comprises a fluoropolymer sampler body that retains a chelating disk as a receiving phase overlaid with a cellulose acetate diffusionlimiting membrane (Allan et al 2008;Schintu et al 2014).…”

“…3.9) (Allan et al 2008;Schintu et al 2014). The Chemcatcher comprises a fluoropolymer sampler body that retains a chelating disk as a receiving phase overlaid with a cellulose acetate diffusionlimiting membrane (Allan et al 2008;Schintu et al 2014). A comparison study of the DGT device and the Chemcatcher demonstrated that the two sampling devices provided similar information and were able to integrate concentrations reliably during their deployment period in surface waters (Allan et al 2008).…”

A Simple Teabag Equilibrium Passive Sampler using hydrophilic divinylbenzene sorbent for contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environment

“…In this context, passive sampling has emerged as a promising alternative to overcome these difficulties. In passive samplers, the difference in chemical potential between the aqueous and sorbent phase triggers the transport of contaminants from the water phase to the sampler material through diffusion (Górecki and Namienik, 2002;Schintu et al, 2014). Benefits of passive sampling include the insitu accumulation and pre-concentration of trace compounds, and the possible use in eco(toxico)logical studies as passive dosing devices (Jahnke et al, 2016;Kot et al, 2000;Seethapathy et al, 2008).…”