To satisfy client requirements, Southern Scientific Services has developed a rapid technique for analysis of the detergent/dispersant dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate in wastewater.
What is dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate?
Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (DOSS) is an ingredient in detergents and dispersants with trade names Manoxol-OT and Corexit. It is water-soluble and an all-purpose wetting agent used in the drugs, cosmetics and food industries. It can be used as a laxative.
It is typically a pale yellow or white powder with a slight, characteristic odor. It has widespread use as a detergent for washing and cleaning. It has been used as a dispersant to break up oil slicks.
How does dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate get into wastewater?
There are several ways that dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate can end up in wastewater. Typically, detergents occur in wastewater from commercial washing and cleaning activities.
- Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate may be used as a raw material in manufacturing processes, leading to the presence of the chemical in wash water.
- It may be used as an ingredient in cleaning products and end up in wastewater when these products are rinsed down the drain.
- It may be present in the wastewater generated by the mining, oil and gas, and food processing industries.
Wastewater discharge licences will have control limits for components likely to cause pollution in receiving waters. The EPA will have imposed these licence limits under the IPPC licensing system and by the local authority for smaller operations.
How does SSS analyse dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate in wastewater?
The rapid technique involves solvent extraction with an acetonitrile salting step based on QuEChERS and direct injection into an LC Mass Spectrometer in tandem mode. The LCMS run is 15 minutes long. The method detection limit is 10ug/litre. The MS transitions are mass 421.2 to 80.9 and 421.2 to 227.2 as the confirmation ion.
Learn more about Southern Scientific’s organic solvents in wastewater testing services here.
If you’re using DOSS and are concerned about its presence in your wastewater, contact [email protected].
