LC–ESI-MS determination of diethylene glycol pollution in sea water samples collected around gas extraction platform plants

Produced formation waters (PFWs) represent the largest aqueous wastes that are normally discharged into the marine environment during the offshore gas production processes. The chemical additive diethylene glycol (DEG) is widely used in the gas production line and therefore can be found in the PFW, becoming of environmental concern. In this study, a new method has been developed for trace determination of DEG in sea water samples collected around offshore gas platforms. The method is based on liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS). Prior to analysis, water samples were derivatized using the Schotten–Baumann method for the benzoylation of glycols. The derivatization procedure allowed us to maximize the ESI-MS response of DEG and minimize the influence of interfering compounds. The method was validated and allowed a quantification of DEG in sea water samples with a method LOD of 0.4 ng/mL. The applicability of the procedure was demonstrated by analyzing sea water samples collected around eight gas platforms located in the Adriatic Sea (Italy).