Using Solid-Phase Microextraction To Determine Partition Coefficients to Humic Acids and Bioavailable Concentrations of Hydrophobic Chemicals

In the current study, the suitability of negligible depletion solid-phase microextraction (nd-SPME) to determine free fractions of chemicals in aquatic environments was explored. The potential interferences of the dissolved matrix (i.e., humic acids) with the SPME measurements were tested. Results show that nd-SPME measures only the freely dissolved fraction and that the measurements are not disturbed by the humic acids. In addition, nd-SPME was used to determine partition coefficients between dissolved organic carbon and water for four hydrophobic chemicals. Obtained values are in excellent agreement with previously reported data. Finally, the bioaccumulation of hexachlorobenzene and PCB 77 to Daphnia magna was determined in the presence and absence of humic acids. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) were calculated based on total as well as on free concentration. Lower BCF values are obtained in the presence of humic acids using total concentrations, whereas equal BCFs are found using free concentrations measured with nd-SPME. Therefore, we can conclude that negligible depletion SPME is a good technique to determine bioavailable concentrations of hydrophobic chemicals in aquatic environments.