Effect of competitive cation binding on the measurement of Mn in marine waters and sediments by diffusive gradients in thin films

The possible adverse effect of competitive binding on DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) measurements of metals in marine situations was investigated. Of the divalent transition metals, manganese binds most weakly to Chelex resin and is most likely to be affected by competition. In media resembling seawater, the Chelex within DGT devices becomes saturated with Ca and Mg within 2 h, and at pH 5–6 the sensitivity of the DGT measurement for Mn is substantially reduced, due to the appreciable concentration of Mn in contact with the resin. For media resembling freshwater DGT gives a near theoretical response for Mn. Iron was shown to be capable of displacing Mn and to a more limited extent Cd from the resin when its capacity for Fe is approached. Vertical profiles of Mn in a mesocosm sediment, obtained by deploying DGT for different times, could be explained by this displacement effect. The problem only occurs when Fe concentrations are exceptionally high and can be avoided by using short deployment times, typically less than 12 h. Whilst most trace metals can be simply measured by deploying DGT in marine systems, for Mn consideration should be given to possible effects associated with the capacity of the Chelex binding layer being approached by accumulation of the other cations present.

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► Competition by cations affects measurement of Mn by DGT in seawater.
► Ca and Mg lower the DGT Mn response.
► Fe can displace Mn in sediments.
► Short deployment times overcome the Fe problem.