NP and OP have been shown to have toxic effects in aquatic organisms. The source of NP and OP is prominently from the use of common commercial surfactants. The most widely used surfactant is nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) which has an average ethoxylate chain length of nine. The ethoxylate chain is readily biodegraded to form NP1EO, NP2EO, nonylphenol carboxylate (NPEC) and, under anaerobic conditions, NP. NP will also biodegrade, but may be released into environmental waters directly at trace levels. This method has been investigated and is applicable for environmental waters, including seawater.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol ethoxylate (NP1EO), nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO), and octylphenol (OP), extracted from water utilizing solid phase extraction (SPE), separated using liquid chromatography (LC) and detected with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). These compounds are qualitatively and quantitatively determined by this method. This method adheres to single reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry.

1.2 The method detection limit (MDL) and reporting limit (RL) for NP, NP1EO, NP2EO, and OP are listed in Table 1.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

TABLE 1 MDL and Reporting Limits

^A MDL Determined Following The Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 136, Appendix B.

^B Lowest Point of the Reporting Range is Calculated from the LV 1 Concentration Calibration Standard in Table 4.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water

D3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and for Preservation of Organic Constituents

D3856 Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis of Water

D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis

D5905 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Wastewater

Keywords

diethoxylate; liquid chromatography; monoethoxylate; nonylphenol; octylphenol; solid phase extraction; tandem mass spectrometry; water;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.060.50 (Examination of water for chemical substances)

Citing ASTM Standards

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