Passive sampling reversed: coupling passive field sampling with passive lab dosing to assess the ecotoxicity of mixtures present in the marine environment.
This study presents a new approach in aquatic toxicity testing combining passive sampling and passive dosing. Polydimethylsiloxane sheets were used to sample contaminant mixtures in the marine environment. These sheets were subsequently transferred to ecotoxicological test medium in which the sampled contaminant mixtures were released through passive dosing. 4 out of 17 of these mixtures caused severe effects in a growth inhibition assay with a marine diatom. These effects could not be explained by the presence of compounds detected in the sampling area and were most likely attributable to unmeasured compounds absorbed to the passive samplers during field deployment. The findings of this study indicate that linking passive sampling in the field to passive dosing in laboratory ecotoxicity tests provides a practical and complimentary approach for assessing the toxicity of hydrophobic contaminant mixtures that mimics realistic environmental exposures. Limitations and opportunities for future improvements are presented.
Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, J. Plateaustraat 22, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: michielclaessens@gmail.com.
Michiel
M
Claessens
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Model, 2e en 23e Linieregimentsplein, B-8400 Oostende, Belgium.
Els
E
Monteyne
Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Group of Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses, Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Klaas
K
Wille
Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Group of Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses, Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Lynn
L
Vanhaecke
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Model, 2e en 23e Linieregimentsplein, B-8400 Oostende, Belgium.
Patrick
P
Roose
Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, J. Plateaustraat 22, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Colin R
CR
Janssen
D017377:Diatoms; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Dose addition; Environmental mixtures; Marine diatom; Mixture effects; Passive dosing; Passive sampling