Sequential extraction and single-step cold-acid extraction: A feasibility study for use with freshwater-canal sediments

Cook, S. R. and Parker, A. (2006) Sequential extraction and single-step cold-acid extraction: A feasibility study for use with freshwater-canal sediments. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 170 (1-4). pp. 95-105. ISSN 0049-6979 doi: 10.1007/s11270-006-2815-7

Abstract/Summary

This investigation examines metal release from freshwater sediment using sequential extraction and single-step cold-acid leaching. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn released using a standard 3-step sequential extraction (Rauret et al., 1999) are compared to those released using a 0.5 M HCl; leach. The results show that the three sediments behave in very different ways when subject to the same leaching experiments: the cold-acid extraction appears to remove higher relative concentrations of metals from the iron-rich sediment than from the other two sediments. Cold-acid extraction appears to be more effective at removing metals from sediments with crystalline iron oxides than the "reducible" step of the sequential extraction. The results show that a single-step acid leach can be just as effective as sequential extractions at removing metals from sediment and are a great deal less time-consuming.