Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Characterization and Application of Passive Samplers for Monitoring of Pesticides in Water
Published on: August 3, 2016
Behaviour of semipermeable membrane devices in neutral pesticide uptake from waters
Francesc A Esteve-Turrillas1, Agustín Pastor, Miguel de la Guardia
1Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, Edifici Jeroni Muñoz, 50 Dr. Moliner, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
The application of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) has been evaluated as a passive sampler for the collection of multiresidue pesticides in continental waters. Seven chlorinated, five organophosphorus, six carbamate, nine pyrethroid and ten other pesticides were tested in order to estimate which compounds can be retained with these devices. The effect of water parameters, such as temperature, pH, ionic strength and organic matter content, were evaluated for their effect on the retention of the pesticides by the SPMDs. Studies of uptake from water were performed in a glass beaker containing 2 L distilled water spiked with 50 ng L-1 of each pesticide investigated. A SPMD was put in the beaker, under turbulent conditions, and analysed after 2 days' extraction. The contents of each SPMD were microwave-assisted-extracted twice with 30 mL hexane-acetone, to 90 degrees C for 10 min, and this was followed by a cleanup based on acetonitrile partitioning and solid-phase extraction. Gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection was employed for determination of pesticides, and provided low limits of detection from 0.5 to 7 ng per SPMD. Higher absorption rates were observed for pyrethroid, organophosphorus and chlorinated compounds than for carbamates. Pesticide uptake rates were independent of the water composition and decreased at low temperature.
Related Concept Videos
Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure of Solutions
Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct microscopic...
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Drug Absorption Mechanism: Passive Membrane Transport
Carrier-Mediated Transport
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes

