Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by HPLC with spectrofluorimetric detection and wavelength programming

The sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) classified as priority pollutants by the EPA have been determined by HPLC, in isocratic conditions, with spectrofluorimetric detection and wavelength programming. The possibility of selecting the optimum wavelengths for each PAH gives the advantages of increased sensitivity - reaching the low pg level - and of improved selectivity, because it is possible to carry out an independent determination of coeluting compounds, provided that their excitation and emission spectra are different enough.