An improved method and apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the fluid
flux and the target chemical mass fluxes in fluid flow systems is
provided comprising the use of a body or shell that is inserted into the
flow field. Inside or outside this body is a bundle of one or more
permeable sorptive columns. The extremes of each column are hydraulically
connected to the outside flow field around the body of the device through
a pair of small openings in the body. The known non-uniform flow velocity
distribution around the body of the invention causes a pressure
difference between pairs of openings used to connect internal or external
column units. A preferred shape of the body is a hydrofoil.
Alternatively, instantaneous measurement of the fluid flux and
contaminant composition is possible using pressure transducers and a
chemical sensor. The method of monitoring comprises placing the invention
in contact with the contaminated flow field, thereby allowing target
chemicals in the in the fluid to be transported through internal column
units and be sorbed on the insoluble sorbent matrix. The permeable
sorptive column unit is then removed and the sorptive matrix is analyzed
directly or visually (if visible tracers are used) to determine
cumulative fluid fluxes and cumulative target chemical mass fluxes.