We would like to invite you to the 35th SETAC Europe Annual Meeting will be held in Vienna, Austria from 11 to 15 May 2025. www.setac.org/vienna with a PS section 3.12 - Passive Sampling: Monitoring of Environmental Contaminants Fluxes Across Spatial and Temporal scales - Section 3.12

Deadline for abstract submission is coming soon.

Invitaiton.pdf

Section 3.12 - Passive Sampling: Monitoring of Environmental Contaminants Fluxes Across Spatial and Temporal scales

Environmental contaminants, particularly those that are persistent, mobile, and toxic, present significant challenges for understanding their environmental behaviour and bioavailability. These substances, which include various analytes or groups of analytes, complicate our grasp of their potential harmful effects on human health and the environment. Moreover, the intricate interactions among different environmental matrices—such as soil, water, air, sediment, and biota—add to the complexity.
Passive sampling techniques have emerged as essential tools for environmental monitoring, especially in tracking the fate or flux of substances. Unlike traditional active sampling methods, passive sampling provides in-situ concentration measurements and an average representation of chemical exposure across environmental compartments. This technique involves deploying samplers, typically made of polymers, sorbents, or hydrogels, which accumulate chemicals over time through diffusion and/or sorption processes. However, they can also include natural accumulators, like plants and fish.

When paired with advanced analytical methods, passive sampling can significantly enhance our understanding of chemical behaviour in the environment, aiding in exposure and risk assessments. The integration of passive sampling with cutting-edge analytical techniques can lead to the development of predictive models that simulate the spatial and temporal movement and transformation of chemicals in various environmental contexts. These models are crucial for risk assessment, policy-making, and decision-making, helping to devise strategies to mitigate the impact of environmental contaminants on ecosystems and human health.
This session invites abstracts on the latest advancements and applications of passive sampling combined with analytical techniques across various matrices, aiming to deepen our understanding of the spatial and temporal transport and fate of environmental chemical mixtures.