Examples of chemicals commonly measured using SPMDs include: PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), dioxins and furans as well as hydrophobic waste-water effluents like fragrances, triclosan, and phthalates.
SPMDs can accumulate contaminants from the water column because triolein (glyceryl trioleate) comprises the lipid membrane housed within the canister.
To aid in the stability of SPMDs, various ways can be employed including attaching the device to a buoy system, an anchor, a boat, or structures/debris in shallow water.
SPMDs normally are deployed up to 30 days in the field, depending on how much accumulation of trace chemicals occurs in the passive sampler itself.
Areas of extremely high flow should be avoided however, as they present a danger to the integrity of the SPMD by way of floating debris (rocks, sediment or wood) and can move the device downstream.
Placing the SPMD canister behind an obstacle in flowing water may also reduce the amount of suspended solids that interact with the device in these types of systems.
To reduce interference from chemicals of unwanted sources, anchoring the SPMD at certain depths (e.g. higher for muddy sediments in aquatic systems) can be very beneficial.
In marine systems a common problem involving barnacles growing on and in the canister can occur which can moderately to greatly reduce the amount of contaminant collected, as well as make it difficult to retrieve the devices.
The physical structure of a SPMD with its stainless steel covering protects it and allows it to be suspended on a sessile anchor in the water column.
[5] SPMDs are currently being used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a tool to assess management strategies of contaminants in water and sediments.