A comparison of fluorescence and GC for the determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in mussels

The suitability of fluorescence spectroscopy for the determination of aromatic concentrations in mussel tissue was investigated. A mixture of aromatic compounds, with a total emission spectrum similar to those of the samples, was found to be the most suitable standard with measurement being made at the emission maximum. Significant correlations were found between aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy and both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations obtained by gas chromatographic analysis (GC). Results indicate that analysis of the aliphatic fraction by GC and fluorescence analysis of the aromatic fraction provides a suitable estimation of the relative degree of contamination of mussel tissues by petroleum hydrocarbons.