Application of a high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detector as a nephelometric turbidity detector following Field-Flow Fractionation to analyse size distributions of environmental colloids

A new operation mode for HPLC-type fluorescence detectors is presented and evaluated using synthetic and environmental particles in the colloidal size range. By applying identical wavelengths for excitation and emission a nephelometric turbidity or single angle light scattering detector is created which can be easily coupled to flow or sedimentation Field-Flow Fractionation (Flow FFF or Sed FFF) for the analysis of colloidal dispersions. The results are compared with standard UV–vis detection methods. Signals obtained are given as a function of particle size and selected detection wavelength. Conclusions can be drawn which affect the current practice of FFF but also for other techniques as groundwater sampling and laboratory column experiments when turbidity is measured in nephelometric mode and in small sample volumes or at low flow rates.