Near-surface distribution of pollutants in coastal waters as assessed by novel polyethylene passive samplers. Issue 1 (15th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aminot, Yann; Belles, Angel; Alary, Claire; Readman, James W.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 119:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2017-06-15
• Subjects: Sea surface microlayer -- Passive sampling -- Surface enrichment -- Priority and emerging contaminants; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: We report a novel and inexpensive method to provide high resolution vertical measurements of temporally integrated organic contaminants in surface and sub-surface waters in polluted coastal environments. It employs a strip of polyethylene deployed as a passive sampler. Verifications are confirmed via conventional spot sample analyses and against Performance Reference Compound (PRC) calibration methods. Analytes targeted include 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, 15 personal care products, 8 organophosphorus flame retardants, 4 antifouling 'booster' biocides and 15 n-alkanes. Whilst all contaminants typically revealed homogeneous concentrations from 10 cm to 3 m depth in the selected harbour (< 30% variations), many increased sharply at the air-sea interface. The passive sampler was shown to afford better resolution than could be achieved using conventional analytical techniques at the surface microlayer (SML). Whilst hydrophobicity appeared to be a key factor for the enrichment of many determinants, less correlation was found for the emerging contaminants. Graphical abstract: Highlights: 3 m long polyethylene passive samplers exposed in coastal waters High resolution subsurface measurements by centimetric slicing of the samplers Contaminants concentrated in the sea surface microlayer Enrichment factors are compound-dependent.