DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PASSIVE SAMPLERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF Hg BIOAVAILABLE
In the environment, bioaccumulation and toxicity of elements are not related to total or dissolved concentrations, but rather to the concentration of specific chemical species. The Diffusive Gradients in Thin films (DGT) technique is an operationally defined method to determine the dissolved fraction of trace elements in water. The principle of the DGT technique is based on the diffusion of the dissolved species through a membrane-diffusive layer and their accumulation in an ion-exchange resin. A hydrogel and a membrane filter (to protect the gel) are commonly used as the diffusive layer. The resin, which serves as a binding agent, is incorporated into a polyacrylamide gel.
The main objective of this project is to develop new DGT devices, particularly with new binding phases, useful for Hg species traces, on-field determination and speciation.
Research will focus in two main lines:
1) development of low-cost and friendly-useful DGT devices, and
2) evaluation of its efficiency in a highly mercury-contaminated aquatic ecosystem.
The main objective of this project is to develop new DGT devices, particularly with new binding phases, useful for Hg species traces, on-field determination and speciation.
Research will focus in two main lines:
1) development of low-cost and friendly-useful DGT devices, and
2) evaluation of its efficiency in a highly mercury-contaminated aquatic ecosystem.