A simple method for determination of corexit 9527® in natural waters

A method for determination of Corexit 9527® in natural waters was developed to meet the demand for effective monitoring of anionic surfactant-based oil spill dispersants. Incorporating ion-pair formation with bis(ethylenediamine) copper(II), extraction of the complex into methylisobutylketone, and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, the method is suitable for a concentration range of 2 to 100 mg/liter, with precision as low as 5% relative standard deviation for samples in the mid- to high-range. Only a small sample volume is required (10 ml), allowing rapid analysis of multiple samples and providing sensitivity in the range most required for monitoring during the first few hours after application, when toxic impacts are most probable. Sensitivity may be substantially increased for trace analysis by increasing sample volume. Overall, the method is simple, rapid, sensitive within the range required for monitoring, requires a small sample volume, and is suitable for both marine and fresh waters.