DETERMINATION OF POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS BY LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY FOLLOWING CLOUD-POINT EXTRACTION

In this study, a new methodology, based on the 'cloud-point phenomenon ' of non-ionic surfactants, is applied for the extraction and preconce ntration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Once the PCBs are extrac ted from the solution, they are determined by liquid chromatography. T he non-ionic surfactants used are polyoxyethylene 4-lauryl ether (Brij 30) and polyoxyethylene-10-oleyl ether (Brij 97). In this study, the optimum conditions for the preconcentration and determination of PCBs have been established and the method has been applied to determine PCB s in sea-water samples. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.