Sea water screening

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published two rapid screening methods for chemical dispersants in sea waters using Waters ACQUITY UPLC/Quattro Premier XE (UPLC–MS–MS). These two methods specifically target the analysis of dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether (DPGBE), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) and dioctyl sulphosuccinate (DOSS) in sea water; three compounds used in the Gulf of Mexico in response to the oil leak.

“The key to these dispersant methods developed by EPA Region 5 Laboratory is the direct sample injection while meeting the water quality criteria goals,” said Joe Romano, senior manager of chemical analysis for Waters. “While the scientific community is just starting to understand the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf, what is clear is that preparing samples, such as sea water samples, may be the most challenging step in the analytical process. Direct injection of sea water into the UPLC–MS–MS system streamlines sample preparation and ensures analytical consistency from analytical run to analytical run.”

The methods are available from the US EPA Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory by contacting Dr Lawrence Zintek at [email protected]

This story originally appeared in The Column. Click here to view that issue.