Determination of polybrominated biphenyl and related compounds by gas-liquid chromatography with a plasma emission detector
Abstract
Polybrominated biphenyl and related compounds were separated by gas-liquid chromatography and monitored by a microwave-induced plasma emission detector. The helium plasma was sustained at atmospheric pressure in a Beenakker cavity. By following the bromine emission at 478.55 nm, linear ranges of at least 103 with detection limits (signal to noise ratio = 3) of the order of 1 ng were achieved. These results are compared with those obtained with an electron-capture detector and the advantages of the element selectivity of the plasma system are illustrated.