Donnan membrane approach: from equilibrium to dynamic speciation

Metal ion toxicity is not simply related to the total concentration but to the free or labile metal ion concentration. One of the techniques that can measure the free metal ion concentration is the Donnan Membrane Technique (DMT). However, this method has limitations in terms of a relatively high detection limit (in relation to typical environmental concentrations) and a long equilibration time. We have therefore developed the Flux Donnan Membrane (FDM) Technique, which is a dynamic modification of the standard DMT with improved detection limits and a more rapid response. We show that experimental calibrations of metal ion transport in the FDM can be used to measure M]free under conditions of either solution-controlled or membrane-controlled diffusive transport. The FDM was used to measure cobalt binding isotherms by a humic substance over a large range of free Co concentrations and pH.