-
prepare samples
(using appropriate separation and concentration procedures such as soxhlet
extraction, solid-phase microextraction, or headspace)
-
dilute samples
as appropriate (using solvents appropriate to the chosen column and
separation)
-
select column
(type and stationary phase)
-
choose injection
temperature (as well as injection conditions - split, splitless or on-column)
-
choose column
length (as appropriate for resolution needed)
-
adjust flow
(to optimize separation)
-
condition columns
(particularly when using a new column)
-
calibrate instrument
(using known test mixtures)
-
optimize conditions
(to resolve all components of mixtures)
-
identify the
components in a mixture (using retention time and, if available, mass spectra)
-
calculate the
percentage of the components in the mixture (using appropriate integration
procedures and internal standardization as necessary)
-
repeat the analysis
(to assure reproducibility and reliability of results)
-
calculate the
precision of the measurement (using appropriate statistical measures)