The analysis of priority pollutants with high performance liquid chromatography

In this paper we describe HPLC procedures for the quantitative analysis of a range of pollutants in various matrices: The analysis of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. The stationary phase of the analytical column was developed in our lab to meet the desired selectivity and reproducibility. Method for screening surface - and drinking water for pesticides and pesticide residues, combining off-line preconcentration with gradient reversed phase HPLC. Analysis is done on an HPLC column, tailor made for pesticide analysis. By the use of the preconcentration step, a 10 fold increase in sensitivity is achieved, resulting in detection limits of sub ppb for substances like: urea pesticides, chlorophenoxyacids, nitro- and chlorophenols. Analysis of volatile ketones and aldehydes in air. The method integrates sampling with off-line precolumn derivatization (with 2,4 dintrophenylhydrazine). The trapped DNPH-derivatives are extracted and analyzed using standard gradient RPLC. Limits of detection are the ppb level