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.
DOI
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.022
Publication Date
2017-03-21
Publication Title
Marine Pollution Bulletin
ISSN
0025-326X
Embargo Period
2018-03-21
Organisational Unit
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Recommended Citation
Aminot, Y., Belles, A., Alary, C., & Readman, J. (2017) 'Near-surface distribution of pollutants in coastal waters as assessed by novel polyethylene passive samplers', Marine Pollution Bulletin, . Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.022
