PCB separation by HRGC-MS. Fourier Analysis for Characterizing Aroclor Chrmatograms

Aroclor and Aroclor mixture chromatograms obtained using temperature programmed high resolution capillary GC coupled with mass spectrometric selective detection have been investigated by Fourier analysis developed for the study of multicomponent chromatograms. The experimental autocorrelation function (EACF), i.e. peak shape and position correlation, showed a retention - structure pattern which could be associated with both the type of Aroclor and the ion used for selective ion monitoring (m/z value). In particular, o-m and m-m isomerization effects were singled out by EACF analysis. By fitting EACF with previously developed theoretical models, it was possible to characterize a specific Aroclor in terms of the number of PCB congeners present in it. The results obtained agreed closely with the typical Aroclor content. For the Aroclor mixture, the distribution of inter-distance between successive peaks was derived. The two first distribution moments obtained agreed with those derived from retention data reported in the literature. The consequences on the separation performance, i.e. the number of singlets, doublets, etc. in the chromatogram, are discussed