Use of the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique for smart rapid biomonitoring of trace metals in...

It is of interest to explore the capabilities of the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) as a substitute for smart biomonitoring of metals in aquaculture waters. DGT deployment and transplantation experiments of scallops Argopecten irradians were carried out in the coastal aquaculture waters. The results showed that DGT-labile metal concentrations were relatively stable in the aquaculture and they were in descending order: Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb ≈ Cd. The scallop A. irradians exhibited different abilities of taking up the studied metals from the ambient aquatic environment. Importantly, it demonstrated that DGT responded quicker than biomonitoring of scallops. Overall, it suggested DGT technique as a rapid monitoring method for metal contamination in aquaculture waters and laid a foundation for the standardization of the DGT technique. Besides, it suggested that high organic matter may have a great influence on DGT-labile concentrations, which should be investigated in more detail.