other ‘emerging tools’ Screening methods & other ‘emerging tools’ Kees J.M. Kramer MERMAYDE P.O. Box 109, 1860 AC Bergen Netherlands www.Mermayde.nl © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD CMA meeting 17/11/2005 SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

SWIFT – WFD Project Objectives: inventory of existing methods production of QC tools for validating methods comparison of biological and chemical methods comparison of laboratory and field methods evaluate cost effectiveness provide training link (new) monitoring science to policy © Mermayde

Monitoring objectives WFD Ecosystem health geographic distribution temporal change Early warning spills, discharges, accidents Public health drinking water bathing water food Monitoring types: investigative surveillance operational Approaches ecological status chemical status © Mermayde

‘Traditional’ only? Focus on priority pollutants Proven techniques Qualification and quantification Validated Standard methods new developments? systematic bias? ‘Other’ or future compounds ‘Other’ monitoring techniques © Mermayde

Screening methods Strategy screens for ‘groups’ rather than specific compound PAHs vs benzo[a]pyrene triazine pesticides vs atrazine trace metals vs cadmium relatively simple method use may be by medium level staff fast cheap possibly field operation © Mermayde

Screening methods Strategy integrated ‘signal’ may be semi-qualitative may be semi-quantitative when ‘group’ < threshold level, ‘all’ are when ‘group > threshold level >> further detail needed using techniques that allow quantification and qualification ‘alarm’ may induce spot sampling © Mermayde

‘Traditional’ vs ‘Test-kit’ concentration threshold value © Mermayde

‘Traditional’ vs ‘Screening’ screening method ‘signal‘ threshold value © Mermayde

Representative sampling More representative picture of water quality can be obtained using a number of approaches: frequent sampling automatic sequential sampling to provide composite samples over a period of time (usually 24 hours) continuous, on-line monitoring systems (e.g. some sensors, SAMOS system) biomonitoring, biological early warning passive samplers (organic, inorganic) © Mermayde

Sampling strategies integrated sampling on line monitoring © Mermayde spot sampling SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

TWA time weighted average ‘Passive’ sampling TWA time weighted average time contaminant concentration in a single sample diuron 2001-2004 concentration © Mermayde

‘Screening methods’ Better: ‘Emerging tools’ Examples: integrated sampling (‘passive samplers’, biota) (bio)sensors immuno assays test-kits biomarkers bioassays biological early warning systems (BEWS) … © Mermayde

‘Emerging tools’ may offer: New technologies (sensors, …) Wider view than priority pollutants only (“what you are not looking for, you don’t find!”) 24/24 h, 7/7 days ‘Screening’, when signal passes criteria, investigate by detailing techniques Efficient, low cost Answer to different monitoring ‘needs’ © Mermayde

Trends in ‘emerging tools’ 1 ‘Traditional’ methods: Chemical analysis of spot samples & use of some (on line) sensors (usually) low sampling frequency identification and quantification of compounds criteria easy to define validation and intercomparison relatively easy focus on priority pollutants impossible to measure all compounds © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

Trends in ‘emerging tools’ 2 Chemical analysis of biota (‘mussel watch’), and use of ‘Passive Samplers’ time integrated sampling increased concentrations, easier/better analysis identification and semi-quantification of compounds quantification relies on assumptions about relation water  ‘sampler’ (accumulation) criteria less easy to define validation and intercomparison less easy focus on priority pollutants impossible to measure all compounds © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

Trends in ‘emerging tools’ 3 Screening methods (give info on group of compounds) quantification based on summed signal semi-identification and semi-quantification of compounds (semi) continuous operation criteria less easy to define validation and intercomparison less easy © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

Trends in ‘emerging tools’ 4 Biological effect methods (tox-tests, biological early warning systems) signal is summed biological response to ‘all’ compounds non-identification and semi-quantification of pollutants (semi) continuous operation criteria compound non-specific validation and intercomparison less easy © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

Identification & quantification Chemical and biological screening methods quantification identification ‘traditional’ analysis + + analyte specific (bio)sensors + + ‘test kits’ +/- + ‘analyte group’ screening + - ‘analyte group’ (bio)sensors + - general parameters (e.g. TOC) +/- - biological effects (tox-tests) +/- - biological early warning +/- - © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

Framework for reliable results Analytical measurements should be made to satisfy agreed requirements as set in the WFD using tested methods and equipment by qualified and competent staff be consistent with analysis made elsewhere by Labs with well defined QA/QC procedures be subject to regular and independent assessment of the performance © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

QA/QC in ‘emerging tools’? Yes, of course methods shall be validated, but may be not be calibrated to the compound different, adapted validation approaches QA shall be installed, QC where possible staff shall be capable criteria shall be defined © Mermayde SWIFT-WFD Laboratory Training T01

Results may give different (types of) answers e.g. Conclusion Results may give different (types of) answers e.g. [PAHs] < 2 g/L ‘signal >100’ ‘alarm!’ Shall link to policy questions Maximum information at minimum cost Supplement ‘traditional’ monitoring methods © Mermayde

Keep open mind for new technologies Final message ‘Emerging tools’ shall not a priori be excluded from ‘accepted’ monitoring methods Keep open mind for new technologies Guidelines shall allow incorporation of new (future) methods Methods shall be validated Results shall be ‘Fit-for-purpose’ © Mermayde