An in situ intercomparison exercise on passive samplers for monitoring metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides in surface waters

• DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2012.01.009
• Publication Date: 2012-03-30T19:54:50Z
• Authors: C. Miège; S. Schiavone; A. Dabrin; M. Coquery; N. Mazzella; C. Berho; J.-P. Ghestem; A. Togola; C. Gonzalez; J.-L. Gonzalez; B. Lalere; S. Lardy-Fontan; B. Lepot; D. Munaron; C. Tixier
• Keywords: ECHANTILLONNAGE; Polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS); Intercomparison exercise; CAPTEUR PASSIF; 01 natural sciences; POLAR ORGANIC CHEMICAL INTEGRATIVE SAMPLER; PESTICIDES; Water Framework Directive (WFD); PESTICIDE; POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS; 11. Sustainability; DIRECTIVE CADRE EUROPEENNE SUR L'EAU; SURFACE WATER; 14. Life underwater; METAUX; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences; INTERCOMPARISON EXERCISE; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH); Priority chemical; EAU DE SURFACE; Metal; PASSIVE SAMPLING; Surface water; 6. Clean water; Pesticide; Passive sampling; HYDROCARBURE AROMATIQUE POLYCYCLIQUE; 13. Climate action; [SDE]Environmental Sciences; Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD); METALS

An intercomparison exercise on passive samplers (PSs) was organized in summer 2010 for the measurement of selected metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides in surface waters. Various PSs were used and compared at 2 rivers sites and one marine lagoon. A total of 24 laboratories participated. We present selected significant outputs from this exercise, including discussion on quality assurance and quality control for PSs, the interlaboratory variability of field blanks, time weighted average water concentrations and its uncertainties, the representativity of DGT samples, the ability of PSs to lower limits of detection, PAH fingerprints in various PSs compared with spot samples, and the relevance of the permeability reference compounds (PRC) approach for POCIS with pesticides. These in situ intercomparison exercises should enable to progress on the harmonization of practices for the use of passive sampling, especially for priority chemical monitoring and regulatory programs in compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).