Impact of Biofouling on Diffusive Gradient in Thin Film Measurements in Water

The technique of diffusive gradient in thin film (DGT) is commonly used to assess metal contamination in natural waters. In this paper, we assess the effect of biofouling on DGT measured labile concentrations in water and investigate whether an additional nuclepore polycarbonate membrane on the surface of DGT devices can limit biofilm growth. Simultaneous field deployments of DGT equipped with and without the additional membrane in a canal receiving wastewater were compared. The effect of the biofilm was also assessed in controlled laboratory experiments, completed by the experimental determination of several metals diffusion coefficients in the hydrogel and membrane systems. The biofilms effect was problematic only from the 10th day of accumulation. Accumulation of some elements is highly biased by the presence of a thick biofilm (Zn, Ni, Cd). The polycarbonate membrane improved the quantification of Cd and Ni but adversely affects the quantification of Cr and Co. A kinetic model is proposed to explain the biofilm role on the DGT measurement. Depending on the metals of interest, it is possible to limit bias due to biofilms by using an additional polycarbonate membrane.