The effect of a micellar mobile phase on the fluorescence detection of a variety of polynucleararomatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) separated via HPLC is examined. It was found that the “fluorescence peaks” of the separated PAH's were enhanced up to ten times by the sodium dodecylsulfate micellar mobile phase. Furthermore, one can use room temperature liquid phosphorescence detection when the mobile phase consists of a deoxygenated aqueous solution of thallium and sodium dodecylsulfate micelles. The phosphorescence intensity was relatively weak and difficult to obtain compared to the fluorescence.