Measuring bioavailable trace metals from freshwater sediments by diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) in monitoring procedures for quality assessment

An experimental design using passive samplers was set up in our laboratories with the aim of preparing a procedure for the assessment of trace metals bioavailability in freshwater sediments. Trace metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) bioavailability in sediment samples were measured by diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) devices and compared to those simultaneously extracted (SEM) in 1N HCl with acid-volatile sulfide (AVS). During experiments DGT devices were exposed at various times (from 4 to 336 h) in sediments with different physical and chemical properties and metal content, after equilibration with ambient water (1:2) for 24 h. Trace metal were progressively accumulated in DGT units and after at least 24-48 h metal fluxes became constant. No relation was found between metal available fractions measured by DGTs and total concentrations in sediments or pore waters. On the contrary good relations were found between available metals measured by DGT and metals simultaneously extracted (SEM) in HCl 1N with acid volatile sulfide (AVS).