A versatile diffusive or ‘passive' sampling device (PSD) based on Fick's first law was designed for aqueous systems (adapted from atmospheric samplers) in order to assist with rapid site surveys and time-integrated sampling of time-variant aqueous systems such as rivers and streams with uneven flows. These PSDs can also act as surrogates for models of bioaccumulation and have several advantages over the semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMD) presently in common use. Solid phase sorbent media (e.g. C-18 derivatized silica) replace the liquid media of SPMDs while offering faster sampling, smaller volumes for an effectively 'infinite reservoir' and need not suffer from early deviations from linear uptake rates. Solid phase media well suited to this have already been developed for batch pre-concentration of water samples and have been designed for a variety of target analytes. Solid phase PSDs also offer greater ease of use with greater time-resolution for interrogation or screening of aqueous media for contaminants compared to SPMDs. Further, solid phase sorbent media obviate the need for diffusively restrictive semi-permeable membranes of SPMDs (subject to biofouling), allow a greater range of analyte partitioning characteristics (not just lipophilic) and permit more rapid access of the aqueous environment (stream, lake, ocean, leachate, spring, pore water, etc.) to the sorbent media compared to SPMDs. A range of sampler geometries and sorbent media were explored and observed uptake rates compared to theoretical rates in bench experiments. A working prototype aqueous PSD was developed.

Key words: sampler aqueous diffusive integrative