Determination of Poly(oxyethylene)alkyl ether in Environmental Water

Abstract

A simultaneous analysis method for poly(oxyethylene)alkyl ethers (AEs) in environmental water was developed using solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC / MS / MS). The target substances were those with an alkyl group that had 9 – 15 carbon atoms and an ethylene oxide molar addition of 1 – 15 (C 9 - 15 EO 1 - 15 ). The elec-trospray ionization technique was used in the LC / MS / MS measurement. The method detection limit (MDL) of C 12 EOns, which is the main component of the AEs, ranged from 0 . 00043 μ g / L for C 12 EO 8 to 0 . 0052 μ g / L for C 12 EO 1 , with the total MDL being 0 . 020 μ g / L. The method quantification limit (MQL) ranged from 0 . 0011 μ g / L for C 12 EO 8 to 0 . 013 μ g / L for C 12 EO 1 , with the total MQL being 0 . 052 μ g / L. The total MDL and MQL of C 9 - 15 EO 1 - 15 were 0 . 14 μ g / L and 0 . 36 μ g / L respectively. Tokoro River water samples were analyzed using this method. In 15 surveys, the concentration of AEs ranged from 0 . 0080 μ g / L to 1 . 2 μ g / L, and C 12 EOns were the main substances in all samples. The distribution of the number of EO additional moles of C 12 EOns differed depending on the sample. This is thought to be because of the dif-ferent uses of the discharged AE products.