Optimisation of Fluorescence Detection for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Determination by Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

The procedures needed for the optimisation of programmable fluorescence detectors have been investigated. We found that wavelength programs had to be developed from data obtained from the particular detector for which the program was to be used -programs reported in the literature or developed from data obtained on other instruments gave substantially lower sensitivities. The wavelength program we developed was a compromise between: chromatographic separation, abundance and relative sensitivitv of each PAH; the ease with which a timed event could be included in the clution profile and; the relative importance of each PAH to the analyst. The success of programmable fluorescence detection was dependant on the reproducibility with which the detector was able to reset specified wavelengths, with corresponding detector response variabilitv of up to 20% for one new detector.