title: Diffusive Milli-Gels (DMG) for in situ assessment of metal bioavailability: A comparison with labile metal measurement using Chelex columns and acute toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia for copper in freshwaters.
abstract: Fluctuations in concentrations of bioavailable metals occur in most natural waters. In situ measurements are desirable to predict risks of adverse effects to aquatic organisms. We evaluated Diffusive Milli-Gels (DMG), a new in situ passive sampler, for assessing the bioavailability and toxicity of copper in waters exhibiting a wide range of characteristics. The performance was compared to an established Chelex-column method that measures labile copper concentrations by discrete sampling, and the ability to predict acute toxicity to the cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia dubia. The labile copper concentrations measured by the DMG and Chelex-column methods decreased with increasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (1.9-15 mg L-1) and hardness (21-270 mg CaCO3L-1hardness), with 20-70% of total dissolved copper being present as labile copper. Toxicity decreased with increasing DOC and hardness. Strong linear relationships existed between the EC50 for C. dubia and DOC, and when the EC50 was related to either the labile copper concentrations measured by DMG (r2= 0.874) or the Chelex column (0.956) methods. The study demonstrates that the DMG passive sampler is a relevant tool for the in situ assessment of environmental risks posed by metals whose toxicity is strongly influenced by speciation.
authors: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France.
authors: Magali
authors: M
authors: Perez
authors: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France; Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia. Electronic address: stuart.simpson@csiro.au.
authors: Stuart L
authors: SL
authors: Simpson
authors: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France.
authors: Gaëtane
authors: G
authors: Lespes
authors: Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia.
authors: Josh J
authors: JJ
authors: King
authors: Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia.
authors: Merrin S
authors: MS
authors: Adams
authors: Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia.
authors: Chad V
authors: CV
authors: Jarolimek
authors: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Grassl
authors: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France. Electronic address: dirk.schaumloeffel@univ-pau.fr.
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Schaumlöffel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001682:Biological Availability; D033361:Cladocera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis*; D006244:Hardness; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009517:New South Wales; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; C006960:chelex
keywords: Aquatic organisms; Bioavailability; Passive sampling; Toxicity