OPTIMIZATION OF FLUORESCENCE DETECTION FOR POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBON DETERMINATION BY USING HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

The procedures needed for the optimisation of programmable fluorescenc e detectors have been investigated. We found that wavelength programs had to be developed from data obtained from the particular detector fo r which the program was to be used - programs reported in the literatu re or developed from data obtained on other instruments gave substanti ally lower sensitivities. The wavelength program we developed was a co mpromise between: chromatographic separation, abundance and relative s ensitivity of each PAH; the ease with which a timed event could be inc luded in the elution 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 vari ability of up to 20% for one new detector.