Performance characteristics of suspended particulate reagent-iminodiacetate as a binding agent for diffusive gradients in thin films

Impact of low ionic strength on DGT sampling with standard APA gels: Effect of pH and analyte

Only a limited and scattered knowledge is currently available on the conditions leading to the occurrence of sampling alteration at low ionic strength (<10^-3 mol L^-1) with DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films technique). In this study, the role of the pH and the charge of the analyte were comprehensively evaluated with DGT equipped with APA (polyacrylamide with agarose-derivative crosslinker) diffusive gels and ZrO or Chelex binding phases. The sampling of four cations (Cd^II, Cu^II, Ni^II and Pb^II) and two anions (As^V and Cr^VI) was compared for pH 4, 6 and 8 at common (10^-2 mol L^-1) and low (10^-4 mol L^-1) ionic strengths. Results showed that the sampling was modified at low ionic strength only in the most acidic condition (pH 4) for both anions and cations with an opposite incidence: cations' sampling was halved whereas anions' sampling was increased. Furthermore, cations sampling alteration was similarly reproduced using diffusion cell experiments, which requires only the APA gel, indicating that the binding layer does not participate in the low ionic strength effect. The intensity of DGT sampling modification was consistent with a prediction based on Donnan partitioning of analytes at gel/solution interface for several valences (from -I to + III). All these results strongly suggest that the APA diffusive gels carry positive charges that create a Donnan effect at low ionic strength. Since no ionic strength effect could be evidenced at pH 6 and 8, it can be reasonably assumed that this effect occurs only marginally for DGT deployments in most natural waters.

Localized Intensification of Arsenic Release within the Emergent Rice Rhizosphere

Behavior of trace elements in flooded/lowland rice soils is controlled by root-zone iron oxidation. Insoluble iron species bind/capture toxic elements, i.e., arsenic. However, it was recently observed that within this territory of arsenic immobilization lies a zone of prolific iron release, accompanied by a significant flux of arsenic in close proximity to rice root apices. Questions still remain on how common this phenomenon is and whether the chemical imaging approaches or soils/cultivars used influence this event. Here, three types of ultrathin/high-resolution diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) substrates were integrated with oxygen planar optodes in a multilayer system, providing two-dimensional mapping of solute fluxes. The three DGT approaches revealed a consistent/overlapping spatial distribution with localized flux maxima for arsenic, which occurred in all experiments, concomitant with iron mobilization. Soil/porewater microsampling within the rhizosphere revealed no significant elevation in the solid phase's total iron and arsenic concentrations between aerobic and anaerobic zones. Contrary to arsenic, phosphorus bioavailability was shown to decrease in the arsenic/iron flux maxima. Rice roots, in addition to their role in nutrient acquisition, also perform a key sensory function. Flux maxima represent a significant departure from the chemical conditions of the bulk/field environment, but our observations of a complete rhizosphere reveal a mixed mode of root-soil interactions.

Distribution character of localized iron microniche in lake sediment microzone revealed by chemical image

DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) technique and LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) for heterogeneous distribution of the soluble labile iron (Fe) at submillimeter resolution in lake sediment porewater are reported. The soluble labile Fe species include ion and labile organic complexes. The chemical images in two dimensions (2D) for DGT concentration of Fe (C_DGT(Fe)) are investigated for Fe remobilization character. There are 902 C_DGT(Fe) values between 1000 and 2000 μg L^-1, 463 values between 2000 and 3000 μg L^-1, and 112 values over 3000 μg L^-1 in all chemical maps. Based on the linear correlation relationships between C_DGT (Fe) and total Fe (TFe), total organic carbon (TOC), acid-volatile sulfide (AVS), Eh, concentrations of the soluble reactive phosphorus (P) (SRP), and soluble labile trace metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in a vertical 1D profile of sediment or porewater, Fe release mechanisms are mainly due to the reductive Fe release from iron oxyhydroxides and the decomposition of organic matter in algae biomass and deep sediment layer. It can be used to explain the formation mechanisms of Fe microniches in chemical maps with heterogeneous character to a great extent. C_DGT(Fe) peak flux in the center of Fe microniche and the low C_DGT (Fe) at the edge of a microniche are due to the formation of the insoluble iron sulfide and the abundant acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) in sediment. The verified co-remobilization of the soluble labile Fe and trace metals or SRP in sediment porewater can be used to predict their simultaneous release from Fe microniches with the large C_DGT (Fe) peaks. The different kinds of Fe microniche zones and hot spots from sediment/water interface (SWI) to deep sediment correspond to the formation mechanisms of microniches mentioned above. Moreover, some narrow Fe microniche zones with the large C_DGT (Fe) across chemical maps are due to the desorption of Fe(II) from the freshly formed oxide on Myriophyllum verticiilatur roots, which are located at sites of microniche zones.

Field-Scale Heterogeneity and Geochemical Regulation of Arsenic, Iron, Lead, and Sulfur Bioavailability in Paddy Soil

A method using miniaturized arrayed DGT-probes (PADDI) for high-frequency in situ sampling with LA-ICPMS and CID analysis was developed to measure the field-scale heterogeneity of trace-element bioavailability. Robust calibrations (R² > 0.99) combined with high-sensitivity (LOD = 0.35 ng cm^-2), multielemental detection, and short measurement times were achieved using a new LA-ICPMS microDGT analysis. In the studied paddy-site (size: ∼2500 m²), total element concentrations across the field were approximately uniform (R.S.D. < 10%), but bioavailability was shown to vary significantly as determined from 864 microgel measurements housed within 72 PADDI arrays. Porewater As measurements were unable to differentiate the top/rhizosphere and bulk/deeper-soil layers. However, dynamic sampling with DGT revealed significant differences. Heterogeneity behaviors varied greatly between the different elements. Arsenic bioavailability was stable laterally across the field, but varied with depth, which was in contrast to the trends for Pb. Fe/S^(-II) change was bidirectional, differing horizontally and vertically throughout the field. The heterogeneity in Pb bioavailability, due to the high frequency of hotspot maxima that were discretely dispersed across the paddy, proved the most difficult to simulate requiring the greatest number of probe deployments to determine a reliable field-average. The DGT-PADDI system provides a new characterization of infield trends for improved trace-inorganics' management in agricultural wetlands.

Impact of natural organic matter and increased water hardness on DGT prediction of copper bioaccumulation by yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

We conducted an exposure experiment with Diffusive Gradients in Thin- Films (DGT), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) to estimate bioavailability and bioaccumulation of Cu. We hypothesized that Cu concentrations measured by DGT can be used to predict Cu accumulation in aquatic animals and alterations of water chemistry can affect DGT's predict ability. Three water chemistries (control soft water, hard water, and addition of natural organic matter (NOM)) and three Cu concentrations (0, 30, and 60 μg/L) were selected, so nine Cu-water chemistry combinations were used. NOM addition treatments resulted in decreased concentrations of DGT-measured Cu and free Cu ion predicted by Biotic Ligand Model (BLM). Both hard water and NOM addition treatments had reduced concentrations of Cu ion and Cu-dissolved organic matter complexes compared to other treatments. DGT-measured Cu concentrations were linearly correlated to fish accumulated Cu, but not to mussel accumulated Cu. Concentrations of bioavailable Cu predicted by BLM, the species complexed with biotic ligands of aquatic organisms and, was highly correlated to DGT-measured Cu. In general, DGT-measured Cu fit Cu accumulations in fish, and this passive sampling technique is acceptable at predicting Cu concentrations in fish in waters with low NOM concentrations.

A novel active-passive sampling approach for measuring time-averaged concentrations of pollutants in water

Passive sampling with in situ devices offers several advantages over traditional sampling methods (i.e., discrete spot sampling), however, data interpretation from conventional passive samplers is hampered by difficulties in estimating the thickness of the diffusion layer at the sampler/medium interface (δ), often leading to inaccurate determinations of target analyte concentrations. In this study, the performance of a novel device combining active and passive sampling was investigated in the laboratory. The active-passive sampling (APS) device is comprised of a diffusion cell fitted with a pump and a flowmeter. Three receiving phases traditionally used in passive sampling devices (i.e., chelex resin, Oasis HLB, and silicone rubber), were incorporated in the diffusion cell and allowed the simultaneous accumulation of cationic metals, polar, and non-polar organic compounds, respectively. The flow within the diffusion cell was accurately controlled and monitored, and, combined with diffusion coefficients measurements, enabled the average δ to be estimated. Strong agreement between APS and time-averaged total concentrations measured in discrete water samples was found for most of the substances investigated. Accuracies for metals ranged between 87 and 116%, except Cu and Pb (∼50%), whilst accuracies between 64 and 101%, and 92 and 151% were achieved for polar and non-polar organic compounds, respectively. These results indicate that, via a well-defined in situ preconcentration step, the proposed APS approach shows promise for monitoring the concentration of a range of pollutants in water.

Improving elution strategies for Chelex®-DGT passive samplers

Elution of Chelex® binding layers, commonly used for the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT), is recognized as the most important contributor to the uncertainty of DGT measurements. Limiting uncertainty requires the use of optimized procedures and suitable elution recoveries (f _e ). This work therefore investigated elution robustness to propose improved strategies. A wide range of conditions were investigated for the main elution parameters (Chelex® particle size, elution time, Chelex® loading, and eluent concentration and volume) on Al(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II). Results showed that the choice of elution conditions should be a compromise driven by study constrains in terms of accuracy, repeatability, sensitivity, and targeted elements. Using experimentally determined recoveries should improve accuracy by approximately 5 to 10% compared to the use of recoveries from the literature. Fast elution of 1 h can be achieved without significant loss of recovery and repeatability except for Cr(III) (8 h minimum). Elution recovery depended on Chelex® loading for Zn and Cr and introducing recoveries adapted to the loading could improve accuracy up to, respectively, 11 and 27%. When standard recoveries are used, a 0.85 f _e value would be more appropriate than the common value of 0.8 to minimize inaccuracy (except for Cr). Some flexibility can be applied to elution conditions without a significant change in recovery for most elements: HNO₃ concentration of 1-15 M, volume of 1-2 mL, duration of 8-48 h. Cr(III) was unique in its sensitivity to elution condition variations; thus, choice is more restricted for this element. Graphical abstract Decisional tree for choosing elution procedure and recoveries for Chelex®-DGT.

High-resolution measurement and mapping of tungstate in waters, soils and sediments using the low-disturbance DGT sampling technique

Increasing tungsten (W) use for industrial and military applications has resulted in greater W discharge into natural waters, soils and sediments. Risk modeling of W transport and fate in the environment relies on measurement of the release/mobilization flux of W in the bulk media and the interfaces between matrix compartments. Diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) is a promising passive sampling technique to acquire such information. DGT devices equipped with the newly developed high-resolution binding gels (precipitated zirconia, PZ, or ferrihydrite, PF, gels) or classic/conventional ferrihydrite slurry gel were comprehensively assessed for measuring W in waters. (Ferrihydrite)DGT can measure W at various ionic strengths (0.001-0.5molL(-1) NaNO3) and pH (4-8), while (PZ)DGT can operate across slightly wider environmental conditions. The three DGT configurations gave comparable results for soil W measurement, showing that typically W resupply is relatively poorly sustained. 1D and 2D high-resolution W profiling across sediment-water and hotspot-bulk media interfaces from Lake Taihu were obtained using (PZ)DGT coupled with laser ablation ICP-MS measurement, and the apparent diffusion fluxes across the interfaces were calculated using a numerical model.

Novel Speciation Method Based on Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films for in Situ Measurement of Cr(VI) in Aquatic Systems

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is much more toxic and mobile than the trivalent species (Cr(III)) and consequently, in situ monitoring of Cr(VI) can improve the understanding of Cr biogeochemistry and toxicity in ecosystems. The passive diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique is a powerful tool for determining metal(loid) speciation, but a binding phase that absorbs only one specific species of Cr is needed. N-Methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG) functional resin was incorporated into the DGT binding phase for selective measurement of Cr(VI). This NMDG-DGT sampler exhibited a theoretically linear accumulation of Cr(VI), with negligible accumulation (<5%) of Cr(III), even after 72 h deployment. The good prediction of Cr(VI) concentration in synthetic freshwater with NMDG-DGT, even in the presence of 10-time more Cr(III), further indicated the sampler's reliability in selective detection of Cr(VI). Moreover, its high capacity for Cr(VI), which exceeded 230 μg cm(-2), facilitates measurement of Cr(VI) in both uncontaminated natural waters and in slightly and heavily contaminated (ppm level) waters. Field deployment of the NMDG-DGT sampler in such waters allowed accurate measurement of time-averaged Cr(VI) concentration, indicating its robustness for in situ measurements of Cr speciation and its potential for further application in the risk assessment of Cr.

Novel precipitated zirconia-based DGT technique for high-resolution imaging of oxyanions in waters and sediments

Water-sediment exchange is a fundamental component of oxyanion cycling in the environment. Yet, many of the (im)mobilization processes overlay complex spatial and temporal redox regimes that occur within millimeters of the interface. Only a few methods exist that can reliably capture these porewater fluxes, with the most popular being high-resolution diffusive gradients in thin films (HR-DGT). However, functionality of HR-DGT is restricted by the availability of suitable analyte binding agents within the sampler, which must be simple to cast and homogeneously distributed in the binding layer, exhibit adequate sorption capacities, be resistive to chemical change, and possess a very fine particle size (≤10 μm). A novel binding layer was synthesized to meet these requirements by in situ precipitation of zirconia into a precast hydrogel. The particle diameter≤0.2 μm of zirconia in this precipitated gel was uniform and at least 50-times smaller than the conventional molding approach. Further, this gel had superior binding and stability characteristics compared with the commonly used ferrihydrite HR-DGT technique and could be easily fabricated as an ultrathin gel (60 μm) for simultaneous oxygen imaging in conjunction with planar-optodes. Chemical imaging of anion and oxygen fluxes using the new sampler were evaluated on Lake Taihu sediments.

Two decades of chemical imaging of solutes in sediments and soils--a review

The increasing appreciation of the small-scale (sub-mm) heterogeneity of biogeochemical processes in sediments, wetlands and soils has led to the development of several methods for high-resolution two-dimensional imaging of solute distribution in porewaters. Over the past decades, localised sampling of solutes (diffusive equilibration in thin films, diffusive gradients in thin films) followed by planar luminescent sensors (planar optodes) have been used as analytical tools for studies on solute distribution and dynamics. These approaches have provided new conceptual and quantitative understanding of biogeochemical processes regulating the distribution of key elements and solutes including O2, CO2, pH, redox conditions as well as nutrient and contaminant ion species in structurally complex soils and sediments. Recently these methods have been applied in parallel or integrated as so-called sandwich sensors for multianalyte measurements. Here we review the capabilities and limitations of the chemical imaging methods that are currently at hand, using a number of case studies, and provide an outlook on potential future developments for two-dimensional solute imaging in soils and sediments.

Localized flux maxima of arsenic, lead, and iron around root apices in flooded lowland rice

In wetland-adapted plants, such as rice, it is typically root apexes, sites of rapid entry for water/nutrients, where radial oxygen losses (ROLs) are highest. Nutrient/toxic metal uptake therefore largely occurs through oxidized zones and pH microgradients. However, the processes controlling the acquisition of trace elements in rice have been difficult to explore experimentally because of a lack of techniques for simultaneously measuring labile trace elements and O2/pH. Here, we use new diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)/planar optode sandwich sensors deployed in situ on rice roots to demonstrate a new geochemical niche of greatly enhanced As, Pb, and Fe(II) mobilization into solution immediately adjacent to the root tips characterized by O2 enrichment and low pH. Fe(II) mobilization was congruent to that of the peripheral edge of the aerobic root zone, demonstrating that the Fe(II) mobilization maximum only developed in a narrow O2 range as the oxidation front penetrates the reducing soil. The Fe flux to the DGT resin at the root apexes was 3-fold higher than the anaerobic bulk soil and 27 times greater than the aerobic rooting zone. These results provide new evidence for the importance of coupled diffusion and oxidation of Fe in modulating trace metal solubilization, dispersion, and plant uptake.

Passive sampling methods for contaminated sediments: state of the science for metals

"Dissolved" concentrations of contaminants in sediment porewater (Cfree ) provide a more relevant exposure metric for risk assessment than do total concentrations. Passive sampling methods (PSMs) for estimating Cfree offer the potential for cost-efficient and accurate in situ characterization of Cfree for inorganic sediment contaminants. In contrast to the PSMs validated and applied for organic contaminants, the various passive sampling devices developed for metals, metalloids, and some nonmetals (collectively termed "metals") have been exploited to a limited extent, despite recognized advantages that include low detection limits, detection of time-averaged trends, high spatial resolution, information about dissolved metal speciation, and the ability to capture episodic events and cyclic changes that may be missed by occasional grab sampling. We summarize the PSM approaches for assessing metal toxicity to, and bioaccumulation by, sediment-dwelling biota, including the recognized advantages and limitations of each approach, the need for standardization, and further work needed to facilitate broader acceptance and application of PSM-derived information by decision makers.

Kinetic signatures of metals in the presence of Suwannee River fulvic acid

This work provides new information on the dissociation kinetics of metal-fulvic acid (FA) complexes. Diffusive gradients in thin-film (DGT) devices deployed in solutions containing metals and 30 mg L(-1) Suwannee River FA at pH 5 and 7, at two different metal-to-ligand ratios, were used to estimate an apparent diffusive boundary layer (ADBL) thickness at the gel-solution interface. The discrepancy between the ADBL thickness measured for metals that are known to dissociate from complexes quickly (e.g., Cd) and that of other trace metals was exploited to calculate the rate of complex dissociation. When the ADBL thickness is plotted for a suite of metals, a "kinetic signature" is created. There was a clear kinetic signature at pH 7, with substantial kinetic limitation for Cu, Pb, and Ni and none for Cd, Co, and Mn (i.e., Cu-, Pb-, and Ni-FA complexes dissociated more slowly). At pH 5, the kinetic signature was less distinct, due in part to slow association kinetics of Mn, and possibly Cd and Co, with the resin. The good sensitivity of the method to small changes in dissociation kinetics was able to show that the dissociation of most metal-FA complexes is sufficiently fast to not limit the DGT measurement.

High-resolution, two-dimensional measurement of dissolved reactive phosphorus in sediments using the diffusive gradients in thin films technique in combination with a routine procedure

Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) is the most available P form in sediments and often directly controls phytoplankton blooms in aquatic systems. In this study, a novel procedure was developed for two-dimensional (2D) measurement of DRP in sediments at a spatial resolution of 0.45 mm using the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique with a revised high-capacity binding phase (Zr oxide gel). This procedure involves DGT uptake of P in sediments, 2D slicing of the binding gel on a 0.45 × 0.45-mm grid system, elution of P from each gel square with 1 M NaOH, and microcolorimetric determination of DRP in each eluted solution using 384-microwell plates. Measurements of DRP via this procedure were tested in homogeneous solutions and sediments and produced an acceptable error (<20% relative standard deviation) for the analysis once the accumulated mass of P in each gel square reached 1.2 μg cm(-2). This method was successfully applied to produce 2D images of the DRP distribution in sediments with and without the influence of tubificid worm bioturbation, revealing a much more pronounced and localized impact from tubificid worms than that found using a one-dimensional measurement of pore water DRP concentrations at 1-cm resolution.

An evaluation of DGT performance using a dynamic numerical model

A numerical model of the transport and dynamics of metal complexes in the resin and gel layers of a DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) device was developed and used to investigate how the chelating resin and metal-ligand complexes in solution affect metal uptake. Decreasing the stability constant or concentration of the binding resin increases the competition for free metal ions by ligands in solution, lowering the rate of mass uptake. Such effects would be rarely observed for moderately or strongly binding resins (K> 10(12)), including Chelex, which out-compete labile ligands in solution. With weakly binding resins, strongly bound solution complexes can diffuse into the resin layer before a measurable amount of dissociation occurs, such that concentrations of bound metal at the rear and front surfaces of the resin layer are equal. With more strongly binding resins, metal mainly binds to the front surface of the resin. Only complexes with the largest binding constants penetrate the gel layer containing Chelex, buttheir lack of lability means thatthe DGT sensitivity to the complex is, in any case, very low. The slow diffusion of complexes, such as those of fulvic acids, which increases the time required to establish steady state, compromises the use of the simple DGT equation. Errors are negligible for 24 h deployments, when diffusive layer thicknesses are less than 1 mm, but 3 day deployments are required to ensure accuracy with 2.4 mm thick layers. The extent to which the commonly used equation, that accounts for the concentration and diffusion of metal-complex species, overestimates DGT uptake if the rate of dissociation is slow, was estimated.

Dynamic aspects of DGT as demonstrated by experiments with lanthanide complexes of a multidentate ligand

Sampling of metals with the technique of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) depends on the rates of diffusion and on the kinetics of interconversion of the species present. In this study the discrimination between metal complexes with different dissociation kinetics is investigated. Samplers with differentthicknesses of diffusive and resin gels were deployed in solutions containing 10 microg/L of each metal in the lanthanide (Ln) series (except Pm) and 2.0 x 10(-6) M of the ligand quin2 at an ionic strength of 0.1 M (KNO3) and pH 7.0. Diffusion coefficients of Ln3+ ions and Ln-quin2 complexes were determined in a diffusion cell experiment. The equilibrium speciation of the metals was calculated from available stability constants. The sampling rate (mass/time) was highly dependent on the dissociation-rate constant of the complexes. For complexes with dissociation kinetics that appreciably limited the uptake, the sampling rate decreased significantly with increasing deployment times (12, 24, and 76 h) and was virtually independent of the thickness of the diffusive gel. Placing a layer of diffusive gel behind the resin did not influence the accumulation of Lns in the resin gel, but doubling the thickness of the layer containing resin increased the uptake, and more so for the Lns forming less labile complexes. The Lns forming more labile complexes were enriched in the outer layer of the resin, and there was a trend toward even distribution between the outer and deeper parts of the resin layer for the Lns forming less labile complexes. The measured DGT sampling rates (mass/ time) were reasonably well predicted by a dynamic model that used independently determined kinetic constants. This new knowledge of how metal complexes behave in the sampling process paves the way for using DGT to obtain in situ kinetic information in natural waters.

Trace Metal Measurements in Low Ionic Strength Synthetic Solutions by Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films

In view of conflicting reports regarding the performance of DGT in low ionic strength solutions (I < 1 mM), further investigations have been carried out. Minimal washing of the diffusive gel and deployment in 1.0 and 10 mM NaNO3 solutions containing Cu and Cd gave the theoretical response of 1 for [C](DGT)/[C](SOLN), where [C](DGT) is the concentration of metal measured by DGT and [C](SOLN) is the concentration of metal measured directly in the solution by an appropriate analytical method. Erroneously high values for [C](DGT)/[C](SOLN) were obtained when these same gels were deployed at I = 0.1 mM, presumably due to a net negative charge on the gel, attributable to the presence of initiation products of polymerization. However, washing the diffusive gels completely, where the storage solution pH equaled that of deionized water, gave values of approximately 0.5 for [C](DGT)/[C](SOLN) from deployments at I = 0.1 mM, consistent with the lower measured value of the diffusion coefficients at this ionic strength. These results can be explained by the presence of a net positive charge on the gel when it is exhaustively washed, which reduces the effective diffusion coefficient of metal ions by changing their concentration at the gel-solution interface (Donnan partitioning). Diffusive gel equilibration experiments showed the presence of low capacity sites capable of binding metals irrespective of ionic strength. This binding within the diffusive gel does not affect most DGT measurements, as short (4 h) deployments at concentrations of 10 ppb gave theoretical results. Incomplete washing of the resin-gel caused a 5-15% measurement error and a decrease in precision, even at ionic strengths of 10 mM. A high level of accuracy and precision (typically <5%) was maintained during all aspects of this work, even at ionic strengths of 0.1 mM, in contrast to previous results. This is attributable to three factors: (1) exhaustive washing and conditioning protocols, (2) improvements to the DGT sampling device, and (3) low and reproducible blanks due to ultraclean handling procedures. Provided effective diffusion coefficients measured at the same ionic strength are used, the established DGT theory is obeyed irrespective of ionic strength.

Analysis of Polyacrylamide Gels for Trace Metals Using Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

A simple method for the analysis of polyacrylamide diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT) gels by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), employing a novel use of (115)In internal standardization, has been developed. This method allows the determination of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations (at the DGT filter face) or fluxes in sediments at a spatial resolution of 100 microm. Single-layered gels, using an optimized laser defocus of 4000 microm at 400 mJ power, showed high precision (generally approximately 10%) and a linear response during solution deployment. Of the elements Sc, In, Ba, La, Ce, and Tb, Ba most closely tracked variations in laser energy and showed the highest analytical precision but could not be used as an internal standard due to its elevated presence in natural sediments. Therefore, internal standardization, necessary to normalize data collected on different days, was carried out using (115)In contained within a second layer of backing gel and dried along with the analyte layer as a dual-gel disk. This multilayered gel standard required a laser defocus setting of 1000 microm and a laser power of approximately 800 mJ. Analytical precision for a 64-spot ablation grid at 100-microm spacing was approximately 10%. Verification of this method was carried out on DGT sediment probes deployed in Priest Pot (English Lake District). Results obtained by conventional slicing techniques and aqueous elution agreed with laser ablation results when the different sampling areas were considered. The elution results varied by a factor of <2, whereas the laser ablation technique showed a variability of approximately 4, indicating localized elevated concentrations of Co. This higher resolution LA-ICPMS method could ultimately lead to an improved understanding of the geochemical processes responsible for metal uptake and release in sediments.