Equilibrium Passive Sampling of POP in Lipid-Rich and Lean Fish Tissue: Quality Control Using Performance Reference...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Passive sampling is a key technique for assessing environmental contaminants in matrices like fish tissue.
• Equilibrium passive sampling (EPS) has traditionally been restricted to lipid-rich fish tissues due to limitations in contaminant transfer.
• Extending EPS to lean fish tissues is crucial for comprehensive bioaccumulation studies and chemical monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an in-tissue equilibrium passive sampling (EPS) method applicable to lean fish tissue.
• To assess the efficiency and accuracy of EPS in quantifying persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in various fish tissues.
• To establish a robust method for chemical monitoring and bioaccumulation studies in aquatic organisms.

Main Methods:

• Thin-film polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) passive samplers were employed.
• Static and dynamic exposure methods were tested on intact fillet, fish homogenate, and cut fillet cubes.
• Performance reference compounds (PRCs) were used to monitor sampler-tissue exchange and determine equilibrium status.

Main Results:

• The developed in-tissue EPS method demonstrated isotropic sampler-tissue exchange.
• PRCs effectively indicated sampler-tissue equilibration.
• Dynamic exposures achieved equilibrium in under 2 days, even in lean fish (1% lipid), with results comparable to conventional solvent extraction methods.

Conclusions:

• The novel in-tissue EPS method successfully extends passive sampling applicability to lean fish tissues.
• This robust method provides accurate lipid-based contaminant concentrations, aligning with established techniques.
• The developed EPS approach holds significant potential for routine chemical monitoring of biota and bioaccumulation assessments.