A method to account for the effect of hydrodynamics on polar organic compound uptake by passive samplers.

Mass transfer coefficients of the water boundary layer (k ) were measured using alabaster dissolution kinetics in a diffusion cell that was operated at stirring rates between 90 min and 600 min , aiming to provide a more robust characterization of the effect of hydrodynamics on the uptake of polar compounds by passive samplers, as compared with characterizations in terms of stirring rates and water flow velocities. The measured k helped to quantitatively understand calcium sulfate transport through a poly(ethersulfone) membrane and 2 water boundary layers (at both sides of the membrane). Alabaster-based k value were used to understand atrazine transport in the diffusion cell, allowing the conclusion that atrazine transport in the membrane is via the pore space, rather than via the polymer matrix.

Passive sampling of nonpolar contaminants at three deep-ocean sites.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, hexachlorobenzene, and DDE were determined by passive sampling (semipermeable membrane devices) with exposure times of 1-1.5 years at 0.1-5 km depth in the Irminger Sea, the Canary Basin (both North Atlantic Ocean), and the Mozambique Channel (Indian Ocean).

Little effect of excessive biofouling on the uptake of organic contaminants by semipermeable membrane devices.

The effects of water flow rate and antifouling agents on the extent of biofouling and on the uptake of non-polar organic contaminants by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were studied during four field experiments in the Western Wadden Sea. Biofouling densities on the sampler surface ranged from 0.3 to 16g dry weight dm(-2).

Levels of hexabromocyclododecane in harbor porpoises and common dolphins from western European seas, with evidence for stereoisomer-specific biotransformation by cytochrome p450.

Commercial hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a high-production-volume flame-retardant applied in polystyrene foams. It contains three stereoisomers, of which gamma-HBCD always dominates. Here we report on the levels of HBCD in blubber of harbor porpoise and common dolphin from different European seas.