Polarographic and voltammetric determination of selected nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Original Research Article

The use of differential pulse polarography, differential pulse voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry for the determination of trace amounts of selected nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (1-nitropyrene, 9-nitroanthracene, 2-nitrofluorene and 2,7-dinitrofluorene were chosen as model substances) were studied. The influence of pH and the composition of the base electrolyte on the polarographic and voltammetric behaviour of these substances was investigated and the optimum conditions for their determination in the concentration range of 1×10−4–1×10−9 mol l−1 were found. Practical applicability of these methods was demonstrated on the determination of trace amounts of selected chemical carcinogens in river water and on monitoring the chemical destruction of the test substances.