Determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental samples by capillary electrophoresis

Abstract

The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were separated by capillary electrophoresis with uncoated fused silica capillary(50μm i.d., total length 50 cm, effective length 32 cm). A borate buffer solution containing sodium dodecyl sulfate, β-cyclodextrin, and acetonitrile was utilized. The separation was monitored by a spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 220 nm. The detection limits of some PAHs were in the range of 0.1-2 μg/mL. It is satisfactory to apply this method to the analysis of some PAHs in environmental samples.