QUALITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES FOR AROMATIC SULFONIC-ACIDS BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

High-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) is investigated as a qualitative tool in the analysis of environmental samples for aromatic sulfonic acids and related compounds. Using standard borate buffer solutions, characteristic migration times define windows wherein certain compound types will be found. Eight aromatic sulfonic acids are separated as an example of the power of the technique. A leachate from a hazardous waste site is also subjected to HPCE. Qualitative identification may be approached by use of migration times and ancillary techniques such as continuous-flow fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.