Accumulation of organochlorine pesticides by semipermeable membrane devices using composite complex

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were developed for passive in situ monitoring of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in aqueous solution in both laboratory and field (Pearl River Delta, China) studies. The device consisted of a thin film of neutral lipid triolein, enclosed in thin-walled tubing made of composite cellulose acetate membrane (CA) supported by linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) (CAPE). Results from the laboratory and field application indicated that triolein-CAPE (TCAPE) could quickly and efficiently accumulate hydrophobic OCPs in water and uptake equilibrium could reached within 20 h in the laboratory. Some mathematical relationships of TCAPE-water partition coefficient (log Ksw), triolein–water partition coefficient (log Ktw) and octanol–water partition coefficient (log Kow) were developed under the laboratory conditions. A good correlation of accumulation in TCAPE with r2 values ranging from 0.55 to 0.86 for individual OCPs (n = 8) and an excellent correlation of log Ksw and log Kow was also obtained under the field conditions. The average OCPs concentration in the surface water could be estimated by measuring OCPs concentration in the device under the field conditions.