Meeting the PFAS in groundwater sampling challenge
25 April 2022
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Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous compounds used in thousands of consumer and industrial products, are emerging concerns for human health.
Regulations and monitoring programs are targeting action levels as low as 10 ng/L in groundwater. Because PFAS are used in many products, they present problems for cross-contamination and create added expense when sampling groundwater.
Two widely used passive groundwater samplers, stocked by HydroTerra, are helping overcome difficulties in obtaining accurate samples and the high sampling costs. Both devices rely on natural groundwater flow through the saturated well screen.
Dual membrane passive diffusion sampler
The dual membrane passive diffusion sampler (DMPDB) is filled with deionised water and lowered into the saturated screen on a suspension cord. While in place, PFAS in the groundwater diffuse through the membranes into the deionised water, where they reach concentration equilibrium with the groundwater.
HDPE HydraSleeve
The HDPE HydraSleeve is a flexible, collapsed, tubular sleeve of HDPE that is sealed at the bottom and has an inlet valve at the top. The HydraSleeve is lowered into position and left in place immediately below the sample zone until the surrounding water returns to its normal flow after being disturbed. The sleeve is then pulled up rapidly through the sample zone causing the sampler to obtain a core of the water.
HydroTerra has partnered with EON and is pleased to distribute these passive samplers because they are accurate, simple to use, low cost, easy to transport and save 50-80 per cent of sampling cost. Contact us today to find out more at info@hydroterra.com.au or (03) 8683 0091.
