Metal measurement in aquatic environments by passive sampling methods: Lessons learning from an in situ intercomparison exercise

Type Article
Date 2016-01
Language English
Author(s) Dabrin A.1, Ghestem J. -P.2, Uher E.3, Gonzalez Jean-LouisORCID4, Allan I. J.5, Schintu M.6, Montero N.7, Balaam J.8, Peinerud E.9, Miege C.1, Coquery M.1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Irstea, UR MALY, Freshwater Syst Ecol & Pollut Res Unit, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France.
2 : Bur Rech Geol & Minieres, Orleans 2, France.
3 : Irstea, UR HBAN, F-92163 Antony, France.
4 : IFREMER, Dept Biogeochim & Ecotoxicol, F-83507 La Seyne Sur Mer, France.
5 : Norwegian Inst Water Res NIVA, N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
6 : Univ Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
7 : AZTI Tecnalia, Div Marine Res, Pasaia 20110, Spain.
8 : Cefas, Lowestoft Lab, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England.
9 : ALS Scandinavia, SE-18325 Taby, Sweden.
Source Environmental Pollution (0269-7491) (Elsevier Sci Ltd), 2016-01 , Vol. 208 , P. 299-308
DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.08.049
WOS© Times Cited 28
Keyword(s) DGT, Uncertainty, Blank, Continental waters, Coastal waters
Abstract Passive sampling devices (PS) are widely used for pollutant monitoring in water, but estimation of measurement uncertainties by PS has seldom been undertaken. The aim of this work was to identify key parameters governing PS measurements of metals and their dispersion. We report the results of an in situ intercomparison exercise on diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) in surface waters. Interlaboratory uncertainties of time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations were satisfactory (from 28% to 112%) given the number of participating laboratories (10) and ultra-trace metal concentrations involved. Data dispersion of TWA concentrations was mainly explained by uncertainties generated during DGT handling and analytical procedure steps. We highlight that DGT handling is critical for metals such as Cd, Cr and Zn, implying that DGT assembly/dismantling should be performed in very clean conditions. Using a unique dataset, we demonstrated that DGT markedly lowered the LOQ in comparison to spot sampling and stressed the need for accurate data calculation.
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Dabrin A., Ghestem J. -P., Uher E., Gonzalez Jean-Louis, Allan I. J., Schintu M., Montero N., Balaam J., Peinerud E., Miege C., Coquery M. (2016). Metal measurement in aquatic environments by passive sampling methods: Lessons learning from an in situ intercomparison exercise. Environmental Pollution, 208, 299-308. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.08.049 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00294/40560/