Retention system, thermodynamic properties and structure correlations of environmental analytes

A composite chromatographic retention index system has been developed for i dentifying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated pesticides. When retention indices and thermodynamic data o f polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on 5 % phenylmethylsiloxane stationary p hase were compared with those obtained on polydimethylsiloxane a correlatio n was found between retention and electronic properties. Determination and quantitation of individual contaminants in water and sediment samples from Lake Mecoacan were achieved by capillary gas chromatography with flame ioni zation and electron-capture detection.