Use of semipermeable membrane devices for in situ monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments

Chemosphere
By: , and 

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Abstract

A method is given for the recovery, cleanup, and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been sequestered in SPMDs (semipermeable membrane devices). SPMDs are polymeric membranes enclosing lipids, and mimic the bioconcentration process of aquatic animals. SPMDs are used as passive, in situ monitors of contamination by organic pollutants of aquatic environments. The method reported here includes dialytic recovery of the PAHs, cleanup of the dialysates using size exclusion, adsorption, and argentation chromatographic modules in tandem, then analysis by gas chromatography with photoionization or mass spectrometric detection. The method is demonstrated to overcome the presence of a variety of environmental co-contaminants and other potential interferents in the dialysates. A field application is also demonstrated in which SPMDs are used to monitor PAH contamination in an urban creek. Approaches to the use of SPMD data to calculate aqueous concentrations of PAHs are discussed. The use of SPMDs in combination with the complementary, PAH-specific cleanup procedure provides a unique approach to the analysis of PAH residues in the aquatic environment.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Use of semipermeable membrane devices for in situ monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments
Series title Chemosphere
DOI 10.1016/0045-6535(92)90432-Q
Volume 25
Issue 5
Year Published 1992
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center
Description 22 p.
First page 697
Last page 718
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