Using semi-permeable membrane devices as passive samplers

Air monitoring of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in Bursa Türkiye: Levels, temporal trends and risk assessment

Monitoring concentration levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is required to evaluate the effectiveness of international regulations to minimize the emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment. In this manner, we evaluated the spatial and temporal variations of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) using polyurethane foam passive air samplers at ten stations in Bursa in 2017 and 2018. The highest concentration value for Σ22OCPs was detected in Ağaköy (775 pg/m3) and Demirtaş (678 pg/m3) sampling sites, while the lowest value was observed in Uludağ University Campus (UUC, 284 pg/m3) site. HCB, γ-HCH, Endo I, and Mirex were the most frequently detected OCPs, which shows their persistence. Diagnostic ratios of β-/(α + γ)-HCH have pointed to historical and possible illegal OCP usage in the study area. The seasonality of air concentrations (with spring and summer concentrations higher than winter and autumn concentrations) was well exhibited by α-HCH, β-HCH, ɣ-HCH, HCB, Endo I, and Mirex but not aldrin, dieldrin, and α-chlordane (CC). Levels of OCPs detected in ambient air in the current study were relatively similar to or lower than those reported in previous studies conducted in Türkiye. Back trajectory analysis was applied to identify the possible sources of OCPs detected in the sampling regions. The Clausius-Clapeyron approach was used to investigate the temperature dependence of OCP gas-phase atmospheric concentrations. The data showed that long-range atmospheric transport affects ambient air OCP concentrations in the study area.

Appraisal on the role of passive sampling for more integrative frameworks on the environmental risk assessment of contaminants

Over time multiple lines of research have been integrated as important components of evidence for assessing the ecological quality status of water bodies within the framework of Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) approaches. One of the most used integrative approaches is the triad which combines, based on the weight-of-evidence, three lines of research, the chemical (to identify what is causing the effect), the ecological (to identify the effects at the ecosystem level) and the ecotoxicological (to ascertain the causes of ecological damage), with the agreement between the different lines of risk evidence increasing the confidence in the management decisions. Although the triad approach has proven greatly strategic in ERA processes, new assessment (and monitoring) integrative and effective tools are most welcome. In this regard, the present study is an appraisal on the boost that passive sampling, by allowing to increase information reliability, can give within each of the triad lines of evidence, for more integrative ERA frameworks. In parallel to this appraisal, examples of works that used passive samplers within the triad are presented providing support for the use of these devices in a complementary form to generate holistic information for ERA and ease the process of decision-making.

Mobility and environmental monitoring of pesticides in the atmosphere - a review

Knowledge of the partition mechanisms in the agrochemical environment is fundamental for understanding their behavior within an ecosystem and mitigating possible adverse effects of these products. In this review, the objective was to present the main transport mechanisms, physical-chemical properties, and atmospheric monitoring methodologies of the most diverse types of agrochemicals used in agriculture that can reach the atmosphere and affect different compartments. It has been verified that volatilization is one of more considerable significance of the various forms of transport since a significant part of the applied pesticides can volatilize in a few days. As for monitoring these compounds in the atmosphere, both passive and active sampling have their advantages and disadvantages. Passive samplers allow sampling in large quantities and at remote locations, in addition to making continuous measurements, while active samplers have the advantage of being able to detect low concentrations and continuously. Since a significant portion of the applied pesticides is directed to the atmosphere, monitoring makes it possible to understand some properties of the pesticides present in the air. This monitoring can be done from different existing methodologies based on adopted criteria and existing technical standards. Graphical representation of mobility and environmental monitoring of atmospheric pollutants from pesticides.

Pine needle and semi-permeable membrane device derived organochlorine compounds (OCPs) concentrations in air in Mersin Province to Taurus, Turkey

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were analyzed in three different ages (half-, 1.5-, 2.5-year-old) for needles and semi permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) at three deployment periods from sea level to 1881 meter above sea level. Individual HCHs concentrations ranged between 1.4 and 129 pg/g fw depending on the age and sampling season while 2.5-year-old needles showed higher HCHs levels compared to half and 1.5- year-old. Correlation between elevation and HCH concentration in SPMDs was found but not in needle samples. Concentrations of HCHs in SPMDs indicated clearly cold condensation effect on accumulation in winter period and increased with altitude. Concentrations of DDTs in half and 1.5-year-old needles were lower than 2.5-year-old needles. The highest total concentration of DDTs was detected in 1-year-period SPMD. Higher concentrations were found in 2.5-year-old needles for other OCPs. Seasonal and altitude-dependent changes were not observed for other OCPs in SMPDs. Total accumulation of OCPs in SPMDs were found higher than in needles. On the contrary, an increased accumulation rate was observed for HCHs in SPMD. In general, Total concentrations of DDTs and HCHs were similar to total of other OCPs in all altitudes when dominating endosulfan wasnot taken into account in the computation of total concentration of other OCPs.

Using wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles and semipermeable membrane devices to monitor polycyclic aromatic compounds in boreal wetlands in the oil sands region of northern Alberta, Canada

Several recent studies have reported evidence that surface mining operations of bitumen in northern Alberta's oil sands (OS) region contribute significantly to the atmospheric deposition of metals and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) within the vicinity of OS development. The present study examines the accumulation of PACs in boreal wetlands at varying distance from OS industrial activities with the use of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles. SPMDs were deployed in shallow lentic waterbodies adjacent to wood frog egg masses and were retrieved, along with tadpoles, approximately 35-45 days later. The highest concentrations of PACs were detected in SPMDs deployed within a 25 km radius of surface mining activity, consistent with snow deposition studies of PACs in the region. In wetlands located within the vicinity of surface mining activity, PAC profiles of SPMDs and wood frog tadpoles were dominated by C1-C4 alkylated PACs, including alkylated dibenzothiophenes, which are strongly indicative of petrogenic sources. Contrary to differences seen in the SPMD PAC concentrations, there were no obvious differences in the ∑PACs in wood frog tissue between wetland study sites, although alkylated fluorenes were found to be higher in tadpoles collected from a wetland located within 10 km of two bitumen upgrading facilities. The use of SPMDs in tandem with wood frog tadpoles can help assess the potential exposure of aquatic organisms to PACs in boreal wetlands.

Spatial and Temporal Variability in Pesticide Exposure Downstream of a Heavily Irrigated Cropping Area: Application of Different Monitoring Techniques

Pesticide exposure threatens many freshwater and estuarine ecosystems around the world. This study examined the temporal and spatial trends of pesticide concentrations in a waterway within an agriculturally developed dry-tropics catchment using a combination of grab and passive sampling methods over a continuous two-year monitoring program. A total of 43 pesticide residues were detected with 7 pesticides exceeding ecologically relevant water quality guidelines/trigger values during the study period and 4 (ametryn, atrazine, diuron, and metolachlor) of these exceeding guidelines for several months. The presence and concentration of the pesticides in the stream coincided with seasonal variability in rainfall, harvest timing/cropping cycle, and management changes. The sampling approach used demonstrates that the application of these complementary sampling techniques (both grab and passive sampling methods) was effective in establishing pesticide usage patterns in upstream locations where application data are unavailable.

Distribution of steroid- and dioxin-like activities between sediments, POCIS and SPMD in a French river subject to mixed pressures

The contamination of aquatic systems by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is now a widely established fact. Nevertheless, there is still a scarcity of knowledge concerning the source, transport, fate and bioavailability of such active compounds. In the present study we assessed the distribution of estrogenic, (anti-)androgenic, pregnane X receptor-like (PXR) and dioxin-like activities between sediment and water compartments using a polar organic compound integrative sampler (POCIS) and a semi-permeable membrane device (SPMD) passive sampler in a river where sediment has been previously described as highly and multi-contaminated. We first confirmed the contamination pattern of this river sediment between 2004, 2009 and 2010 samples, suggesting that this river is subject to a constant high contamination level. However, we showed a different distribution pattern of these activities between compartments: estrogenic activity was mainly detected in POCIS extracts and to a lesser extent in sediment and SPMD extracts; anti-androgenic activities were mainly detected in SPMD and sediment extracts while no activity was detected in POCIS extracts; PXR-like activity was detected in all three investigated compartments, with POCIS > SPMD > sediment; dioxin-like activity was mainly found in the sediment and the SPMD extracts. Overall, partitioning of the biological activities was in accordance with physicochemical properties (e.g., log K ow) of typical known active chemicals in each bioassay. Furthermore, in order to establish whether the chemicals involved in these activities were similar between the compartments, we fractionated sediment, POCIS and SPMD extracts using a multi-step fractionation procedure. This highlighted differences in the nature of active chemicals between compartments. Altogether, our results support the need to consider different compartments in order to enhance exposure assessment.

Calibration and use of the polar organic chemical integrative sampler--a critical review

The implementation of strict environmental quality standards for polar organic priority pollutants poses a challenge for monitoring programs. The polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) may help to address the challenge of measuring low and fluctuating trace concentrations of such organic contaminants, offering significant advantages over traditional sampling. In the present review, the authors evaluate POCIS calibration methods and factors affecting sampling rates together with reported environmental applications. Over 300 compounds have been shown to accumulate in POCIS, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, hormones, and industrial chemicals. Polar organic chemical integrative sampler extracts have been used for both chemical and biological analyses. Several different calibration methods have been described, which makes it difficult to directly compare sampling rates. In addition, despite the fact that some attempts to correlate sampling rates with the properties of target compounds such as log K(OW) have been met with varying success, an overall model that can predict uptake is lacking. Furthermore, temperature, water flow rates, salinity, pH, and fouling have all been shown to affect uptake; however, there is currently no robust method available for adjusting for these differences. Overall, POCIS has been applied to a wide range of sampling environments and scenarios and has been proven to be a useful screening tool. However, based on the existing literature, a more mechanistic approach is required to increase understanding and thus improve the quantitative nature of the measurements.

Green determination of the presence of volatile organic compounds in vehicle repair shops through passive sampling

A simple, fast and green direct analytical methodology has been developed to evaluate the concentration level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor areas of vehicle repair shops using membrane devices as passive samplers. VOCs retained in the samplers were directly determined without any sample pre-treatment and avoiding the use of solvents by head space (HS) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in only 20 min. Benzene, toluene, tetrachloroethene, m,p-xylene and o-xylene were found at concentration levels from 0.1 to 11.2 mg m(-3).

Calibration and field performance of triolein embedded acetate membranes for passive sampling persistent organic pollutants in water

Triolein embedded cellulose acetate membrane (TECAM) passive samplers provide potentially powerful tool for monitoring time weighted average concentrations (C(TWA)) of trace hydrophobic organic contaminants in water. To study the field performance of TECAM, exchange kinetics of chemicals between water and TECAM were studied at different temperature and water flow rates. Results showed that the uptake rate constant (k(u)) in TECAM was less sensitive to temperature variation than the SPMD and Chemcatcher. The k(u) in TECAM was sensitive to even a slight change of the flow rate, which required the field calibration using performance reference compounds (PRCs). To estimate C(TWA) by TECAM, both empirical model and WBL model were compared in laboratory conditions, and only small differences were observed between the predicted and measured k(u). Field validation was conducted to test the sampler performance alongside spot sampling. A good agreement of water concentration was obtained by the two sampling techniques.

Field comparison of passive sampling and biological approaches for measuring exposure to PAH and alkylphenols from offshore produced water discharges

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and alkylphenols (AP) that are present in routine discharges of produced water (PW) from the offshore industry continue to cause concern. The suitability of biological methods and chemical based passive samplers to determine exposure to these compounds was tested by deploying them around an oil installation and at reference locations in the North Sea. PAH and AP were analysed either as parent compounds in passive samplers and mussel tissue or as metabolites in fish bile. Generally the pattern of exposure relative to proximity to the discharge was represented by mussels, SPMDs and fish for PAH. Fish and SPMDs showed good correlation for PAH accumulations, whereas some differences were apparent between mussels and SPMDs. POCIS was the only technique tested that could accurately measure the most abundant AP in PW. The advantages of biologically independent measures of exposure for inclusion in discharge monitoring studies are outlined.

Passive sampling as a tool for obtaining reliable analytical information in environmental quality monitoring

Passive sampling technology has been developing very quickly for the past 20 years, and is widely used for monitoring pollutants in different environments, for example air, water, and soil. It has many significant advantages, including simplicity, low cost, no need for expensive and complicated equipment, no power requirements, unattended operation, and the ability to produce accurate results. The present generation of passive samplers enables detection and analysis of bioavailable pollutants at low and very low concentrations and investigation of the environmental concentration of organic and inorganic pollutants not only on the local scale but also on continental and global scales. This review describes the current application of passive sampling techniques in environmental analysis and monitoring, under both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions.

Uptake rates of alkylphenols, PAHs and carbazoles in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS)

Passive sampling devices provide a useful contribution to the monitoring of contaminants in the aquatic environment. However, calibration data needed for the calculation of water concentrations from sampler accumulations are restricted to a limited number of compound classes. Thus uptake of a range of alkylated phenols (AP), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and carbazoles was determined for semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) using a flow through exposure system. Sampling rates ranged from 0.02 to 0.26 l d(-1) for POCIS and 0.02 to 13.83 l d(-1) for SPMDs. Observed SPMD uptake was also compared to that predicted by an empirical model including the use of performance reference compounds (PRCs). Predicted sampling rates did not differ by more than a factor of 1.3 from experimental values for PAH, providing further evidence that the PRC approach can be successfully used to determine in situ sampling rates for these compounds. Experimental sampling rates for AP in SPMDs were, however, much lower than predicted. This discrepancy was too large to be explained by small uncertainties in the calibration system or in the calculations. Based on these data we conclude that while hydrophobic AP are accumulated by SPMDs their partitioning cannot be predicted from their logK(ow) using current methods. Due to this lower than expected uptake, sampling rates were only higher in SPMDs than POCIS in the range of logK(ow)>5.0. Simultaneous deployment of both sampler types allows the study of compounds with a broad range of physicochemical properties.