Passive sampling applications

The authors have been intimately involved in eondueting research to address many aspects of environmental contaminants for about three decades. Historically, samples of environmental matrices, particularly water and air have been collected at narrow windows of time (i.e., minutes or several hours) which are not representative of the exposure experienced by organisms. Consequently, we initiated the development of what would ultimately be the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD). The SPMD has subsequently proven to be an effective passive sampler for a wide range of hydrophobic contaminants in multiple media. To date, there are more than 180 peer reviewed publications in the open scientific literature, where SPMDs are used for a variety of applications. Some of these publications are critical of the use of passive samplers for certain applications. However, constructive criticism has greatly aided in defining information gaps and limitations of the passive sampling approach. 

The development of a passive sampling device designed for this application is based on Palmes (3) work as given below. 

Application of Passive Sampling Techniques for Monitoring the Aquatic Environment... 

Chen Y. and J. Pawliszyn. 2007. Theory of solid phase microextraction and its application in passive sampling. In R. Greenwood, G.A. Mills, and B. Vrana (eds), Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry, pp. 3-32. Amsterdam Elsevier. 

Mazzella, N., J.-F. Dubemet, and F. Delmas. 2007. Determination of kinetic and equilibrium regimes in the operation of polar organic chemical integrative samplers application to the passive sampling of the polar herbicides in aquatic environments. J. Chromatogr. A 1154 42-51. 

Any use of novel responsive polymer components in space applications requires ground testing and ultimately space qualification to accommodate the complex LEO environment and better understand synergistic materials degradation. We have therefore participated in MISSE-6 (Materials International Space Station Experiment) with a combination of active and passive sample exposures that have been selected as a first flight experiment of piezoelectric polymers in LEO for space qualification. Two exposure conditions were available, the VUV backside and the VUV+AO ram direction of the MISSE assembly. Our experimental strategies for sample selection, exposure conditions and in-situ performance measurements are presented here. 

Passive sampling technology was developed to measure TWA concentrations of pollutants in air, and in water. Its application in air monitoring for instance for... 

Mills, G.A., Greenwood, R., Allan, I.J., et al., 2008. Application of passive sampling techniques in monitoring the aquatic environment. In Namiesnik, J. and Szefer, P. (eds), Analytical Measurements in Aquatic Environments, Taylor Francis, London. 

Sampling and chemical analytical methods (e.g. sensors, passive sampling devices, test kits (see e.g. ISO 17381 2003 Water quality - Selection and application of ready-to-use test kit methods in water analysis ), GC-MS or LC-MS screening methodologies). 

Table 1.1 and Figure 1.4 and Figure 1.5 illustrate the range of passive sampling devices developed for application in sampling trace contaminants in the aquatic environment. 

PIMs have shown considerable potential for passive sampling of specific contaminants in waters [87]. In this application, low membrane diffusion coefficients can be an advantage. Passive samplers are generally left immersed in a river, lake, or contaminated water site for several days, and a PIM can slowly and selectively accumulate and transport the analyte to the receiver phase within the passive sampler. 

In addition to the the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) applications in clean-up steps or in passive sampling, it has also been proposed the use of SPME in extraction schemes for PAHs, mainly contained in drinking waters. Table 19 summarizes several applications of SPME in water samples, as well as the optimum extraction conditions to reach successful limits of detection. The applications are always carried out in direct immersion mode. 

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