Comparative analysis of thirty polychlorinated biphenyl congeners on two capillary columns of different polarity with non-linear multi-level calibration

Abstract

The elution patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are different on capillary columns of different polarities. Congeners which elute as single peaks on one type of column may co-elute with other congeners on another type of column. This paper describes quantitative results from the analysis of calibration standards and various sample extracts from seals using a capillary dual-column gas chromatography system with electron-capture detection, where the two capillary columns are operated in parallel with a glass T-split. Non-linear multi-level calibration graphs and choice-of-fit functions are discussed with respect to the quantitative analysis of thirty PCB congeners. The differences in the results of the analyses on the two columns are evaluated, and an approach for preparing a single quantitative report from the two sets of analytical results is proposed.