The effect of environmental parameters on contaminant uptake by a passive sampler device

Abstract

A passive sampling device previously developed was used to assess environmental contamination. It consists of a polymeric bag filled with an organic solvent in which contaminants are preconcentrated after passively diffusing from the water column. The contents of the device were subjected to analysis without further cleanup. The effect of temperature, turbulence, ionic strength, pH, and the presence of dissolved organic material on the partioning process were examined. The results showed that increase in temperature supply the molecules with greater energy and enables them to pass through the membrane and into the solvent. Turbulence was found to disrupt the boundary layer formed around the device as a result of concentration polarization causing irregular fluctuations in the concentration of contaminants in equilibrium with the membrane. There was no discernable correlation between the concentration of contaminants accumulated by the devices and the ionic strength of the incubation solution. There was also no discernable relationship between pH and contaminants uptake by the sampling devices as was expected with non polar, non-ioniseable solutes. The uptake of compounds with lower molar volumes was most susceptible to the presence oh humic materials.

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 15-23