Carbon nanotube-passive samplers as novel tools for sampling and determining micropollutants in the aquatic environment

Occurrence and risk assessment of the residues of pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants in the marine sediments - Preliminary study for the Baltic Sea

The knowledge on the occurrence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the marine ecosystems, especially in sediments, is very limited. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the degree of contamination of selected marine sediments from both coastal and offshore areas of the Baltic Sea by pharmaceutical residues and other micropollutants. Microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MAE) was selected for the extraction of 31 contaminants belonging to different groups (pharmaceuticals such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, sulfonamides, beta-blockers, psychotropic drugs, hormones and other micropollutants: caffeine and phenols) followed by the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique used for purification and LC-MS/MS (MRM) for the final analysis. The proposed method for their determination was fully evaluated in terms of their efficiency and validation parameters. During the research 19 compounds were detected in the sediments at concentrations up to 56 μg kg-1 d.w., proving that the most frequently detected compounds were p-nitrophenol, diclofenac, and caffeine. These data were supported by the preliminary hazard and risk assessment for the detected chemicals of concern. Based on the obtained results, it was proven that the measured concentrations of selected contaminants are potentially hazardous to the environment. These newly presented data on the occurrence and risk assessment of ECs detection in the studied sediments are of particular importance for the assessment of pollution of the Baltic Sea.

Utility of a modified o-DGT passive sampler for measurement of bisphenol analogues in freshwater and coastal waters

Bisphenol analogues (BPs) are commonly found in riverine and coastal waters. However, the lack of a reliable and robust passive sampling method has hindered our ability to monitor these compounds in aquatic systems. The study developed a novel organic-diffusive gradients in thin film (o-DGT) sampler based on stainless steel mesh membrane, polyacrylamide diffusive gel, and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) binding gel. This innovative design tackled issues of filter membrane sorption in traditional o-DGT devices and potential gel damage in membrane-less o-DGT devices, showing promising application prospects. The mass accumulation of 15 target BPs was linear over 10 days in both freshwater (r2 ≥ 0.92) and seawater (r2 ≥ 0.94), with no saturation observed. The diffusion coefficients (D) through polyacrylamide diffusive gels ranged from 4.04 × 10-6 to 5.77 × 10-6 cm2 s-1 in freshwater and from 1.74 × 10-6 to 4.69 × 10-6 cm2 s-1 in seawater for the target BPs (except for bisphenol PH) at 22 °C. The D values of the target BPs in seawater were lower than those in freshwater due to the high salinity in seawater (35 ‰). The o-DGT samplers demonstrated good integrity in field applications. The total concentrations of the eight detected BPs ranged from 9.2 to 323 ng L-1, which was consistent with the measurements obtained by grab sampling. Among all BPs, bisphenol S, bisphenol F, and bisphenol A were consistently detected at all sites using both sampling methods. The concentrations of some novel BPs in coastal water measured by grab sampling were comparable to those measured in rivers, suggesting the need to strengthen pollution control of BPs in coastal areas. These results indicate that the o-DGT passive sampling method developed in the present study can be effectively used for monitoring BPs in freshwater and coastal environments.

Assessment of the application of selected metal-organic frameworks as advanced sorbents in passive extraction used in the monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern in surface waters

Water pollution has become a critical global concern requiring effective monitoring techniques and robust protection strategies. Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are increasingly detected in various water sources, with their harmful effects on humans and ecosystems continually evolving. Based on literature reports highlighting the promising sorption properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), the aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) and UiO-66 (Ce) as sorbents in passive sampling devices (MOFs-PSDs) for the collection and extraction of a wide group of CECs. Solvothermal methods were used to synthesize MOFs, and the characterization of the obtained materials was performed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), powder X-ray diffractometry (pXRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The research demonstrated the sorption capabilities of the tested MOFs, the ease and rapidity of their chemical regeneration and the possibility of reuse as sorbents. Using chemometric analysis, the structural properties of CECs determining the sorption efficiency on the surface of NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) were identified. The MOFs-PSDs were lab-calibrated to examine the kinetics of analytes sorption and determine the sampling rates (Rs). MOFs-PSDs and CNTs-PSDs (PSDs containing carbon nanotubes as a sorbent) were then placed in the Elbląg River and the Vistula Lagoon to sampling and extraction of the target compounds from the water. CNTs-PSDs were selected, based on our previous research, for the comparison of the effectiveness of the MOFs-PSDs in environmental monitoring. MOFs-PSDs were successfully used in monitoring of CECs in water. The time-weighted average concentrations (CTWA) of 2-hydroxycarbamazepine, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, p-nitrophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol and caffeine were determined in the Elbląg River and CTWA of metoprolol, diclofenac, 2-hydroxycarbamazepine, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, p-nitrophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol and caffeine were determine in the Vistula Lagoon using MOFs-PSDs and a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Application of passive sampling device for exploring the occurrence, distribution, and risk of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in surface water

Pharmaceuticals and pesticides are compounds of high concern in surface waters around the world. However, few studies have used passive sampling methods to screen and detect these compounds in natural waters. In this study, a self-developed passive sampler was employed to measure pharmaceuticals and pesticides in the rivers of Nanjing, China. A total of 41 pharmaceuticals and 11 pesticides were detected, among which antibiotic and insecticide were the predominant classes, respectively. Valproic acid, caffeine and triclosan from the pharmaceuticals, and isoprocarb and imidacloprid from the pesticides were found frequently with high concentrations. At most sampling sites, the concentration ratios of caffeine versus carbamazepine exceeded 10, and even above 50, indicating relatively poor efficiency of wastewater treatment, or possibly the direct discharge of raw sewage, or other unknown source of pollution. It was found that the concentrations and ecological risks in the northern area of Yangtze River were higher than those in the southern area of Yangtze River, implying that economic development and population density were not the main contributors to the discovered pollution. The total concentration of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in Qinhuai River increased gradually with the direction of water flow, demonstrating the success of water diversion project in flushing and scouring pollutants.

Reusable passive sampler with carbon nanotubes for monitoring contaminants in wastewater: Application, regeneration and reuse

Progress in excogitation suitable strategies for monitoring chemical compounds in wastewater is an essential step for further research into the occurrence, impact, and fate of the pollutants in the aquatic environment. At present, it is desirable to advance and use economical, environmentally friendly and non-labour intensive methods of environmental analysis. In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were successfully applied, regenerated, and reused as a sorbent in passive samplers for monitoring contaminants in treated and untreated wastewater at three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in different urbanization areas in northern Poland. Three cycles of chemical and thermal regeneration of used sorbents were performed. It was shown that it is possible to regenerate CNTs a minimum of three times and reuse them in passive samplers while maintaining the desired sorption properties. The obtained results confirm that the CNTs are perfectly in line with the main principles of green chemistry and sustainability. Carbamazepine, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, p-nitrophenol, atenolol, acebutolol, metoprolol, sulfapyridine and sulfamethoxazole were detected in each of the WWTPs, both in treated and untreated wastewater. The obtained data drastically show the inefficiency of the removal of contaminants by conventional WWTPs. More importantly, the results even indicate negative contaminant removal in most cases, i.e. higher concentrations (up to 863%) of these substances in the effluent compared to the influent.