title: Application of nano-FIA-Direct-EI-MS to determine diethylene glycol in produced formation water discharges and seawater samples.
abstract: Diethylene glycol (DEG) is extensively used on offshore gas platforms to prevent the hydrate formation during the gas-water separation process and to inhibit corrosion events. This chemical might enter in the marine environment via the produced formation water (PFW) discharge. In this study, a new approach was applied to the investigation of the DEG content in PFW discharges and seawater samples from four gas installation platforms in the Adriatic Sea (Italy). The method includes an off-line solid-phase extraction/pre-concentration technique, followed by a nanoscale flow injection/direct-electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometric analysis. Direct-EI is a novel and miniaturized interface for directly coupling a liquid chromatograph with an electron ionization mass spectrometer. The capability to acquire EI spectra, and to operate in selected ion monitoring mode during actual sample analyses, allowed a precise quantification of DEG with a method limit of detection of 31microg/l. In addition, a careful evaluation of the matrix effect showed that, as opposed to electrospray ionization, the response of the Direct-EI interface was not affected by sample interferences.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Chimiche F. Bruner, Università di Urbino, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy. acappiello@uniurb.it
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cappiello
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Famiglini
authors.forename: Pierangela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pierini
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Trufelli
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manfra
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mannozzi
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis*; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D010578:Petroleum; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C013484:diethylene glycol