USE OF CLOUD POINT EXTRACTION METHODOLOGY FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PAHS PRIORITY POLLUTANTS IN WATER SAMPLES BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH FLUORESCENCE DETECTION AND WAVELENGTH PROGRAMMING

The cloud point extraction methodology has been used to develop a new procedure for the preconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples (bottled and network supply). Triton X-114 was used as extractant agent. The procedure, consisting of three steps (preconc entration into the surfactant, clean-up and concentration of the eluat e), allows good detection limits to be reached (from nanograms per lit er to even sub-nanograms per liter in some cases). Determination was c arried out by HPLC, with fluorimetric detection and wavelength program ming.