Determination of polar pollutants in water using an on-line liquid chromatographic preconcentration system

An isocratic column liquid chromatographic system with UV absorbance detection at 230 nm has been developed for the rapid trace-level determination of a large number of polar pollutants in water. The systems contains two precolumns, in series, which are packed with a styrenedivinylbenzene (PLRP-S) polymer. The second precolumn is also loaded with sodium dodecylsulphate before use. Each precolumn is combined with a PLRP-S analytical column, and aqueous acetonitrile mixtures (pH 3) are used for the separation of neutral as well as acidic and basic pollutants. With 10-ml water samples the detection limits for all analytes, in tap water, are in the low to sub μg/l range. Relevant analytical data are reported and the advantage of using a dodecylsulphate-loaded precolumn over a cation-exchange precolumn is discussed.