Sorption of psychoactive compounds on passive sampling sorbents in the presence of wastewater suspended particulate matter
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Understanding interfacial processes that govern contaminant uptake is essential for interpreting data from passive sampling (PS) systems in aquatic environments. This study investigates the sorption mechanisms of eight psychoactive compounds (PCs) on two commonly used polymeric sorbents - (hydrophilic-lipophilic Balanced (HLB) and mixed-mode cation exchanger (MCX)) – under environmentally relevant water conditions. Laboratory exposure experiments were performed to derive partition coefficients ( K SW ) and sorption rate constants ( k X ) and investigate the sorption dynamics in the presence and absence of suspended particulate matter (SPM). At pH 7.8, sorption was largely governed by lipophilic interactions, with MCX exhibiting slightly higher K SW for cationic compounds but relatively slower accumulation rates due to cation exchange. Compound-specific properties influenced sorption behavior at varying pH, while decreased conductivity lowered sorption efficiency. Sorbed concentrations on both sorbents reduced with increasing temperature, and thermodynamic analysis confirmed that the sorption processes are exothermic and spontaneous. SPM was found to enhance sorbent uptake through two mechanisms: partitioning of particulate-bound species and facilitated transport of compounds to the sorbent surface. These findings highlight the importance of considering SPM-mediated transport into the design of passive sampling strategies for monitoring emerging contaminants in dynamic aquatic systems. • Sorption mechanisms of HLB and MCX sorbents differed for psychoactive compounds. • Effects of varying water conditions on the sorption kinetics were studied. • Coupled partitioning of SPM-bound species increased sorbed concentrations. • Vector transport by labile SPM-bound species enhanced uptake rates.
Source: Environmental Pollution
Institution: University of Antwerp
Language: English
Subfield: Analytical Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,090
Funder: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Awards: Novel approaches for the estimation of the use of psychoactive pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs by wastewater analysis, Development of active-passive sampling (APS) strategies for dynamic speciation analysis and ecotoxicity evaluation of psychoactive substances and their metabolites in wastewater, Suspect screening and Target workflows using multi-dimensional chromatography and mass spectrometrY to investigate human eXposure to emerging contaminants by wastewater analysis (STYX)
OpenAlex ID: W4414166648