Use of gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography in characterising air pollutants by fluorometry

Relatively large amounts of alkylated derivatives of the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are present in some urban atmospheres. These compounds are believed to be derived from industrial sources. Because alkylation of the tetracyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can confer carcinogenic activity on the derivatives, the presence of substantial amounts of these alkylated compounds in the air needs thorough study. The R(F) value and the retention time, by themselves, are inadequate for characterisation of the polynuclear compounds. Gasliquid chromatography followed by fluorometric examination of the eluent bands, and mixed-adsorbent two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography followed by direct fluorometric examination are very useful in characterising all types of organic compound in the organic fractions of airborne particulates and effluents from air pollution sources.