ASTM D7731-11e1

1.1 This procedure covers the determination of Dipropylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (DPGBE) and Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) in sea water by direct injection using liquid chromatography (LC) and detection with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). This analyte is qualitatively and quantitatively determined by this method. This method adheres to selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry.

1.2 The Detection Verification Level (DVL) and Reporting Range for DPGBE and EGBE are listed in Table 1.

1.2.1 The DVL is required to be at a concentration at least 3 times below the Reporting Limit (RL) and have a signal/noise ratio greater than 3:1. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 display the signal/noise ratio of the single reaction monitoring (SRM) transition.

1.2.2 The reporting limit is the concentration of the Level 1 calibration standard as shown in Table 4 for DPGBE and EGBE, taking into account the 20% sample preparation dilution factor.

DPGBE and EGBE have a variety of residential and industrial applications such as, cleaning formulations, surface coatings, inks and cosmetics. These analytes may be released into the environment at levels that may be harmful to aquatic life.

This method has been investigated for use with reagent and sea water.