Development and calibration of a passive sampler for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in water

N-Nitrosamines such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) are organic compounds of environmental concern in groundwater, wastewater and potable water due to their potent carcinogenicity in laboratory animal studies and probable human carcinogenicity. While passive sampling techniques have become a widely used tool for providing time-averaged estimates of trace pollutant concentration, for chemicals such as NDMA that have relatively high water solubility, the selection of a suitable sorbent is difficult. This work is a proof of principle study that investigated for the first time the use of coconut charcoal as a passive sampler sorbent. Apparent charcoal/water sorption coefficients for NDMA were >551 mL g−1 at environmentally relevant aqueous concentrations of less than 1 μg L−1. Under the experimental conditions employed, a sampling rate of 0.45 L d−1 was determined and for an aqueous concentration of 1000 ng L−1, it is predicted that the sampler remains in the linear uptake stage for approximately 4 d, while equilibrium attainment would require about 26 d. The presence of humic acid, used as a surrogate for DOC, enhanced NDMA sorption on the coconut charcoal.

► Coconut charcoal is a suitable sorbent for passive sampling of NDMA in water.
► Sampling remains linear for up to 4 d at a sampling rate of 0.45 L d −1.
► NDMA uptake was reversible and enhanced by DOC presence.