Polyoxymethylene passive samplers to monitor changes in bioavailability and flux of PCBs after activated carbon amendment to sediment in the field

Abstract

Field and laboratory exposures of polyoxymethylene passive samplers to sediments and the water column were applied to monitor changes in bioavailability and flux of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) following a pilot-scale amendment of activated carbon in Grasse River. Following amendment, reductions in passive sampler uptake tracked reductions in bioaccumulation in a freshwater invertebrate, which supports a biological basis for utilizing passive samplers for in situ site investigations following a remediation. Freely dissolved concentrations of PCBs were reduced in sediment pore waters compared to untreated sediments indicating reduced bioavailability of PCBs after activated carbon amendment. Freely dissolved PCB concentrations in sediment pore water in treated sites were also lower than overlying water concentrations indicating a reversal of the sediment from being a source to a sink of PCBs from the water column. These observations indicate that activated carbon amendment to sediment limits contaminant exposure to both the benthic and pelagic food webs through reductions in bioavailability and flux of PCBs into the water column.