Feasibility of a simple laboratory approach for determining temperature influence on SPMD–air partition coefficients of selected compounds

Atmospheric Environment
By: , and 

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Abstract

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) are a widely used passive sampling methodology for both waterborne and airborne hydrophobic organic contaminants. The exchange kinetics and partition coefficients of an analyte in a SPMD are mediated by its physicochemical properties and certain environmental conditions. Controlled laboratory experiments are used for determining the SPMD–air (Ksa's) partition coefficients and the exchange kinetics of organic vapors. This study focused on determining a simple approach for measuring equilibrium Ksa's for naphthalene (Naph), o-chlorophenol (o-CPh) and p-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) over a wide range of temperatures. SPMDs were exposed to test chemical vapors in small, gas-tight chambers at four different temperatures (−16, −4, 22 and 40 °C). The exposure times ranged from 6 h to 28 d depending on test temperature. Ksa's or non-equilibrium concentrations in SPMDs were determined for all compounds, temperatures and exposure periods with the exception of Naph, which could not be quantified in SPMDs until 4 weeks at the −16 °C temperature. To perform this study the assumption of constant and saturated atmospheric concentrations in test chambers was made. It could influence the results, which suggest that flow through experimental system and performance reference compounds should be used for SPMD calibration.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Feasibility of a simple laboratory approach for determining temperature influence on SPMD–air partition coefficients of selected compounds
Series title Atmospheric Environment
DOI 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.11.036
Volume 41
Issue 13
Year Published 2007
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center
Description 7 p.
First page 2844
Last page 2850
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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