Abstract
The aim of this work is to propose a very simple method for the selection and interpretation of the relevant individual spectra of a set of absorbance spectra, as for example in a 3D chromatogram. The method is based on the rank computation of the matrix of experimental values, after or during a chromatographic run. From a classical chromatographic system with a rapid scanning spectrophotometer (diode array detector for example), a computer is used for data acquisition of absorbances of the whole UV spectrum, and later computation. Firstly, acquisition is performed until the end of the elution and then the program gives the number and the corresponding spectra of relevant fractions. If another run is needed, for a different sample for example, the procedure makes it possible to check whether the detection signal is independent of the previous spectra. Different applications are presented for the study of organic matter in wastewaters by low pressure liquid chromatography.