MONITORING OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN SLOVAK FRESHWATER SEDIMENTS USE OF SEMIPERMEABLE MEMBRANE DEVICES

摘要

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and low-density polyethylene membranes (LDPEs) were used to estimate the "bioavailable" fraction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in freshwater sediments from the area of Strazske, Slovakia. In both techniques, the molecules of analytes must diffuse through the polyethylene membrane, thus particle-associated PCBs are excluded from sampling. The partitioning equilibrium was assessed in sediment slurries upon incubation with gentle shaking for 28 days. The influence on the sampling process of the organic carbon content in the sediments, turbation, and total PCB concentration in the sediment samples was studied.